CROWDS turned up to see controversial comedian Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown perform in Barrow despite concerns over the stand-up star’s ‘offensive’ content.

‘Chubby’ received a standing ovation after performing his show at The Forum on Thursday night.

The stand-up comedian has been performing all across Britain in a career spanning since the 1970s.

‘Chubby’s’ sarcastic blue humour, which often pokes fun at disabled and ethnic audience members, has caused a number of his shows to be cancelled across the UK.

In 2019, former Barrow MP John Woodcock urged The Forum to consider cancelling his shows after being contacted by a disabled constituent who was ‘mercilessly pilloried’ by the entertainer when he visited Barrow in 2016.

However, Barrow audience members turned up in their hundreds to see the Yorkshire comedian deliver some of his most outrageous jokes.

‘Chubby’ Brown’s return to the town this week polarised the Barrow community, with some calling for the show to be cancelled and others declaring their excitement for the gig.

Des Barlow, Barrow Borough Councillor, said he opposed any figure which ‘poked fun’ at people with disabilities.

He said: “I oppose any acts which poke fun at people with disabilities.

“I have been a treasurer at Barrow & District Disability Association for 20 years and don’t condone Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown’s mockery towards disabled people.

“He has been performing this act for a while now. I do not agree with anyone making fun out of disabled people. Using it in an act to gain a laugh is just unacceptable.

“It doesn’t sit right with me. If that is what people want to see, we can’t prevent others from participating but, personally, it’s not what I stand for.”

A Walney disability campaigner said the people of Barrow ‘do not want’ ‘Chubby’ in the town.

“No-one should be allowed to get away with making fun of disabled people, which is what Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown does,” he said.

“We are standing against him as a community.

“We don’t want him in our town. People shouldn’t go to shows with the fear that their disability may be mocked or made fun of him. It isn’t a joke.

“He never apologises for the offensive things he says which aren’t acceptable.

“We don’t want him to come to our town.”

Despite criticism, audience members who attended the show described the performance as ‘absolutely brilliant’.

Karen Edmondson said: “He was absolutely amazing he's hilarious. What a fantastic night. He deserved the standing ovation that we did.”

Steve Haddow said: “It was nearly two hours of filth - loved it.”

Andy Hayton said: “Absolutely brilliant - gets better every time.”

Dawn Bull said: “I went with family - what a fantastic night.”