Alison Hammond apologises after being slammed for ‘encouraging’ disrespectful audiences following ‘mini riot’ at a theatre in Manchester

Alison Hammond has taken to social media to apologise after being slammed for ‘encouraging’ disrespectful theatre audiences on Wednesday’s This Morning.

The host, 48, joked she was ‘devastated’ about a new ban on audience’s singing, just days before a ‘mini riot’ broke out during a production of The Bodyguard in Manchester.  

Police were called to the Palace Theatre when the show starring former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton had to be stopped twice before ending early after a woman was dragged out by security after refusing to stop singing along.

Earlier that week Alison said during the ITV discussion: ‘[Theatre staff] are regularly walking up and down the aisles before the performance and during the interval with ‘no singing’ signs’ I mean, I can’t believe it, I’d be devastated,’

Former BGT winner, and theatre star, George Sampson, 29, angrily hit out taking to Twitter writing: ‘People [in theatres] just behave how they want, where they want, probably doesn’t help that @ThisMorning are encouraging this behaviour’.

Sorry: Alison Hammond has apologised after being slammed for ‘encouraging’ disrespectful theatre audiences on Wednesday’s This Morning

Shock: Police were called to the Palace Theatre in Manchester when a show starring former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton had to be stopped twice, before ending early due to rowdy crowd caused chaos (Melody pictured with co-star Ayden Callaghan)

Following the shocking Manchester scenes and her own trip to the theatre Alison decided to apologise for her words and vowed to ‘do better in the future’.  

Sharing a statement to Twitter it read: ‘After reflection and the comments I made on Wednesday’s show I want to apologise to anyone who I offended especially the incredibly talented theatre performers, who I have the utmost respect for. 

‘I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that I’m truly sorry.’

Adding: ‘I am a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance, I was wrong in what I said and I’ve given this a lot of thought over the past fw days and believe I was wrong.

‘On Thursday evening I attended a performance of the GBBO the musical which I absolutely loved and gave a standing ovation, theatre is a magical experience for me and my family.’

She concluded: ‘I want to use my platform for good as always and want to stand up with the performers, front of house and theatre staff especially after seeing what happened at The Bodyguard in Manchester, which has made me sick to my stomach.

‘Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future.’

On Saturday former Pussycat Doll Melody discussed the incident on her Instagram Story, thanking those who were ‘respectful’ and said ‘it feels awful’ that the show had to be stopped.  

Slammed: Alison joked she was ‘devastated’ about a new ban on audience’s singing, just days before a ‘mini riot’ broke out during a production of The Bodyguard

Fuming: Former BGT winner, and theatre star, George Sampson, 29, angrily hit out taking to Twitter writing: ‘People [in theatres] just behave how they want, where they want, probably doesn’t help that @ThisMorning are encouraging this behaviour’

The singer explained: ‘I just wanted to send a special message to the people in Manchester who came to the show tonight to say thank you and I respect that you paid your money.’

She continued: ‘I am so grateful to the people who respect those on stage, who wanted to give you a beautiful show. 

‘For everything that happened tonight, I can’t say, I don’t have all of the details. I just am very, very sorry that we couldn’t finish the show, I fought very hard it feels awful.’

‘I just hope that we see you again The Bodyguard is a great show, it’s wonderful show, a love story and I know people were out to see a really beautiful show 

Apologies: Following the shocking Manchester scenes and her own trip to the theatre Alison decided to apologise for her words and vowed to ‘do better in the future’

‘I like to thank everyone who was respectful of the performers and sorry for those who weren’t, thank you, love you.’

Melody’s apology comes after a woman was dragged out of the performance by security after she refused to stop singing along despite the venue’s rules.

Shocking footage shows the moment the woman was forcibly removed from the Palace Theatre in Manchester as riot police were called.

The show was paused in its first act as staff at the theatre were forced to drag out several people singing loudly during the performance.

It was halted again just 10 minutes from the final curtain as police arrived on the scene.

Others attending said that ‘fights’ and ‘mini riots’ erupted in the theatre during the chaotic performance, Manchester Evening News reported.

Awful evening: On Saturday former Pussycat Doll Melody discussed the incident on her Instagram Story , thanking those who were ‘respectful’ and said ‘it feels awful’ that the show had to be stopped 

Members of the audience applaud security guards as they are dragged outside.

Around six police officers were pictured at the venue, while several police vans were parked outside.

One person at the show posted online: ‘Seen a lot of reports about bad behaviour at the theatre lately, and wondered if they were a bit overblown. Anyway, at the Palace tonight and they had to stop the show during the first act to eject disruptive audience members.

‘They’ve had to stop the show AGAIN during the finale because of people shouting out, screaming and being incredibly disruptive. Just unbelievably disrespectful to the actors. And they’re refusing to leave. This is horrendous. Never seen anything like it.

‘They decided not to finish the performance because of the disruption. Feel so sorry for the whole cast. Respect to all the staff at the Manchester Palace for trying to deal with an incredibly difficult situation. Three police vehicles outside the theatre. Awful.’

Performance: The show was paused in its first act as staff were forced to drag out several people and then was halted again just 10 minutes from the final curtain (Melody on stage The National Lottery’s Big Night Of Musicals)

Another said: ‘There was a lot of heckling at Melody Thornton [the lead singer] who was on the stage solo at this point.

‘Her mic was cut and the curtain was brought down for the second time. A fight broke out in the upper stands as security tried to deal with members of the audience. 

‘It was about ten mins to the end after an earlier stoppage in the show as others were removed.’

Someone else added: ‘Can’t believe we was all kicked out 10 minutes before the end. Disrespectful idiots singing and screaming. I felt for the amazing performers and gutted I didn’t get to see the end.’ 

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