Comedian Johnny Vegas made a triumphant return to the stage 48 hours after his first festival show in Brighton fell flat.

Dozens of people walked out of the heavyweight funnyman's first appearance at the Paramount Comedy Festival on Thursday, calling it a waste of money.

On Saturday, however, Vegas shrugged off the criticism with a dramatic return to form.

He had the capacity audience at the Brighton Dome in the palm of his hand with his brand of off-the-cuff humour.

The Argus reported on Saturday how Vegas's first show ended in chaos after more than 50 people left early.

They had taken offence at parts of his routine, during which he invited members of the audience on stage, suggested they join him smoking cigarettes and told them to take over while he sat in the front row.

Far from ignoring the criticism, the star used the complaints as a comic platform on Saturday, reading from The Argus and winning laughs as he told his audience: "All publicity is bad publicity".

Reporter James Lancaster, who reviewed the show for The Argus, said: "He performs a very risky kind of comedy and relies totally on the audience for his material. That makes him all the more impressive when it comes off.

"It worked on Saturday. The audience were very much on his side and willing him to succeed."

Fans of Vegas defended his earlier performance.

Andy Barton, from Kemp Town, Brighton, who was at Thursday's show, said: "We were amazed to read the criticism. His is a unique craft since he uses no tangible gags or structure. It is the most anarchic and challenging form of comedy."

On Friday, a festival spokeswoman said organisers had not received any formal complaints about Thursday's show.

However, the claim was contradicted by disappointed punter Alistair Brook, who left the show early with his partner.

Mr Brook, 38, said: "I couldn't believe it when I read that because I made a complaint and asked for my money back and I overheard someone else doing the same.

"I put it in writing that I didn't spend the best part of £40 to see audience members up on stage smoking.

"We left the show a couple of minutes after the audience started going up on stage and we weren't the first to walk out. It was kind of sad. It was like watching the guy falling apart.