Ricky Gervais: Fans complain as Christchurch tickets sell online

BBC

10 May 2024 at 12:43 pm·2-min read

Fans of Ricky Gervais have been left "angry" after queuing for tickets for his new show that sold out online in minutes.

The award-winning comedian, actor and writer announced he would debut new material at the Regent Centre in Christchurch next week.

Scores queued for tickets at the theatre earlier, only to be told most tickets had been sold online.

Gervais tweeted that it was "annoying". The venue has been asked for a comment.

Probably best known for the hit TV series The Office, Gervais is set to perform at the Dorset venue on Monday and Tuesday.

The work-in-progress show - Ricky Gervais and Friends - will see the star joined on stage by fellow comedians.

Tickets priced at £22 went on sale at 10:00 BST on Friday. Fans queued from as early as 04:15 BST outside the 500-seat venue.

Former BBC presenter Roger Finn, who was in the queue, said a "huge groan" went up as news filtered down that all the tickets had gone.

"Quick-fingered cyber wizards somehow negotiated the website which crashed regularly all morning," he added.

Fan Ian Woolley said he joined the queue shortly after 09:00.

"There was a lot of angry people. Clearly everyone in the at queue - there was only 200 maximum - they should have all got tickets," he said.

"There are a lot of people of a certain age who haven't got smartphones. When there are people at the counter ready to serve you, I'm surprised they didn't hold a certain amount back for people coming in at the box office."

Gervais later tweeted in reply: "That's annoying. They should have held back a number of tickets for box office only."

The venue previously said it was a "real honour" to be selected for the performances.

The art-deco Regent Centre, a former cinema in Christchurch's High Street, dates back to the 1930s and is now run as a non-profit venue.

Ricky Gervais is also due to perform his new material at London's Leicester Square Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre in Hertfordshire.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.

Australian Associated Press
UK's blood scandal report 'a day of shame', says PM
British authorities committed a "catalogue of failures" and knowingly exposed thousands of patients to deadly infections through tainted blood, a report says.
Australian Associated Press
Income gap roars back in post pandemic recovery
Economic equality improved during the pandemic yet those gains have been unwound, with the inflation spike the final test of where equality stands post-COVID.
Australian Associated Press
Peace talks in Reynolds and Higgins defamation case
Mediation is expected to continue between senator Linda Reynolds, former staffer Brittany Higgins and her fiance over allegedly defamatory social media posts.
Australian Associated Press
Multicultural kids more likely to struggle at school
Migrant and refugee children in Australia are more likely to have development issues than their peers, a study has found.
Australian Associated Press
Reserve Bank insight into next move on interest rates
The Reserve Bank board's views of the economy and its assessment of risks on the horizon will be stepped through in the minutes from its last meeting.
Australian Associated Press
Wieambilla ambush shooting probe to get update
A coroner's pending inquiry will examine police forces in two states for an inquest into the Wieambilla shootings that claimed six lives including two officers.
Australian Associated Press
Liverpool confirm Slot will fill place left by Klopp
Dutchman Arne Slot, previously in charge at Rotterdam club Feyenoord, will take on the new role of Liverpool's head coach at Anfield.
Australian Associated Press
'Fixer' Cohen admits stealing from Trump
As the case against Donald Trump draws to a close with more evidence from former 'fixer' Michael Cohen, it is unclear if the ex-president will take the stand.
Australian Associated Press
Renewed calls to drop case as Assange appeal permitted
A UK court has ruled WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against extradition to the US on espionage charges.
Australian Associated Press
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest of Netanyahu, Hamas leaders
The International Criminal Court's top prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Hamas leaders.
Australian Associated Press
Ship that caused US bridge collapse has been refloated
A container ship has been refloated and begun heading back to port almost two months after it caused the deadly collapse of a Baltimore bridge.
Australian Associated Press
Slovak PM 'improving' after assassination attempt
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's condition is stable and he's improving, doctors treating him say, as he recovers from an assassination attempt.
Australian Associated Press
Iran's hardliner president killed in helicopter crash
Iran's leadership has vowed no change to the country's path after President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister were killed in a helicopter crash.
Australian Associated Press
Australia mapping path to closer trade ties with India
The federal government will begin consulting on a strategy to strengthen trade and investment relations with India while looking for new areas of co-operation.
Australian Associated Press
Arthur axed as 'stalled' Parramatta search for progress
Parramatta have sacked long-standing coach Brad Arthur after the Eels' underwhelming start to the 2024 NRL season.
Australian Associated Press
Liberatore set for AFL return after concussion concerns
Tom Liberatore is on track to return to AFL action with the Western Bulldogs, having been sidelined since round eight because of concussion.
Australian Associated Press
Best out of Origin 1 in more injury blues for NSW
NSW's incumbent centre Bradman Best has been ruled out of the State of Origin series opener with injury but the Blues and his club side Newcastle have options.
Australian Associated Press
Campers stumbled across burnt-out campsite, jury told
Campers found a burnt-out campsite and unattended ute belonging to Russell Hill, a day after he and his childhood sweetheart Carol Clay were allegedly murdered.
Australian Associated Press
Brothers guilty of stabbing death in tourist precinct
Two of the three men accused of stabbing a young father and leaving him to die in the middle of a Gold Coast street have been found guilty over their roles.
Australian Associated Press
Giants look to the past in bid to end AFL losing streak
Desperate to avoid a fourth straight AFL loss, the Giants are looking for inspiration from their past selves as they prepare to hit the road to play Geelong.

Latest stories