Matt Forde sparks debate after complaining about a baby in his Fringe show

Matt Forde has sparked a backlash after telling parents not to bring babies to his show.

The comic took to Twitter to complain that a crying newborn ruined his Edinburgh Fringe show last night and said: ‘Don't bring babies to adult shows. It's always a problem.’

But his comments provoked scores of angry responses – as well as many message of support.

One Twitter user accused him of being ‘incredibly sexist as young, breastfed babies can’t be left at home’; another claimed he was ‘needlessly shaming new parents’; another quipped ‘sounds like there were TWO babies at that show’

However others backed the comic. One of his followers said: ‘How can someone be that selfish to think they are entitled to bring a baby to a gig? It’s not the place. People pay tickets to be entertained not listen to your kid screaming their head off.’

Another said: ‘As a parent myself I don’t understand why parents are piling on here. This is a perfectly reasonable request. If you’re going to an adult show then get child care. If you can’t,  then don’t go until you can or remove yourself if the child starts crying. Get over yourselves ppl.’

And fellow comic Shaparak Khorsandi took the middle ground, by telling Forde: ‘I hear you but personally I'm fine with it and say yes when asked if babes in arms are allowed. We just make sure they have a seat near the door so they can slip the fuck out if the little bastard cries.’

The tweet that sparked the debate said: ‘Someone brought their baby to my show last night. Sadly it derailed large parts of it because they wouldn't do the decent thing and just leave when it started crying. I get that it must be tough as a new parent but please, don't bring babies to adult shows. It's always a problem.

‘I realise this sounds a bit whiny but it’s just to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s like someone’s phone continually ringing and them not turning it off. I’ve had so many messages from people who were there last night who were very polite about the fact it pissed them off.’

Forde’s political show, Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right is listed as suitable for those aged 14+ as a guideline. But on the official Edinburgh Fringe website it says: ‘Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket. Policy applies to: Children under 2 years.’

The thread also sparked some memories from parents who took their babies to shows:

I once took my 3 month old daughter to see Ed Byrne in a play called Kings Of The Road at the Fringe, she slept all way through the show until Ed delivered the line there is one born every minute. Right on queue she started crying and Ed ad-libbed with 'And there's another one.'

— Crispin Fisher (@crispinfisher) August 16, 2022

I was at a Sean Walsh gig in York when this happened. He heard the baby making baby noises and asked what sort of person brings a baby to a comedy gig. Guy two rows in front "they couldn’t get it to sleep so brought him to see you". He never recovered.

— Nick Errington (@claimsmonkey999) August 16, 2022

Miserable attitude. We took our baby to a packed Pleasance gig in 2006. When she gurgled, @andrewismaxwell initially ask whether he was being heckled by a duck. Then he brought her on stage and she stole the show. Took her n me backstage as well. That’s true class, @mattforde

— John Conmy (@jcplinth) August 16, 2022

Published: 16 Aug 2022