'Nothing suspicious' found after Peter Kay gig evacuated

19-year-old arrested over 'bomb hoax'

No suspicious items were found after Peter Kay’s Birmingham gig was evacuated last night because of a bomb scare.

The comedian was bundled off stage 45 minutes into his Better Late Than Never tour show at Utilita Arena and the audience of up to 15,800 fans asked to leave.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax.

Birmingham Police said in a statement this morning: 'Following searches of the Utilita Arena last night no items of a suspicious nature were found.

'A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence and remains in custody this morning as our enquiries continue.

'We're grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public.'

Originally the force said a 'potential suspicious bag' was found at the arena, which prompted the evacuation.

A Peter Kay show in Birmingham has been stopped after West Midlands Police say a 'potential suspicious bag' was found at the Utilita Arena.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested, and the area is being searched as a precaution.

????https://t.co/ptJX1e78Cd pic.twitter.com/IMTvc7iYYd
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 1, 2026

A video shared on social media showed the moment an announcer went on stage and asked people to leave.

He said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are going to have to stop the show. So, we're going to put the house lights up and can you please follow the instructions given to you from the house staff, stewards and security. Thank you.'

Members of the audience can then be heard saying: 'What? Is this a joke?'

Peter Kay pic.twitter.com/GXhfOKelJ2
— Richard Neville (@Richard05114030) May 1, 2026

Many punters took to social media to applaud the response. One said: 'I couldn't praise [police and venue staff] enough for how efficient[ly] they got me and 11,000 people out and away from that building within a matter of minutes.'

Another posted: 'The staff were brilliant. As were the punters. All left in a calm and orderly manner. It was eerily quiet as we were leaving.'

The venue issued a statement confirming the discovery of a ‘potential suspicious bag’ nearby, adding: ‘The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority. We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure.’

The scare came a day after the UK national threat level was raised from substantial, meaning an attack is likely, to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre said the increase in threat comes following the stabbing in Golders Green in North London, but it is not solely a result of that attack.

Images from the scene show several police cars in the area and officers patrolling the perimeter.

Kay