Controversial comedian Jim Davidson refused to go on stage because wheelchair users would not move from the front row.

Disabled Kenneth Hull, 83, of Bushby Avenue, Rustington, was among more than 1,700 fans left furious after the 49-year-old funnyman called off his show 15 minutes after the performance was due to start.

Mr Hull had travelled 50 miles with family from Crediton, north Devon, to see Mr Davidson perform at Plymouth Pavilions.

He told the Argus: "He is supposed to be a comedian but that was no joke. I think what happened was disgusting.

"We were all sitting down waiting for the show to start and then the manager of the theatre came up and asked if we wouldn't mind moving.

"There were lots of us in wheelchairs in the front row.

"They wanted to move us up to the side but we had expensive £19 seats and we were right at the front.

"I really didn't want to move, so why should I?"

A Pavilions spokesman said the theatre was "appalled" by the Cockney stand-up's behaviour and said the theatre was considering legal action.

He added: "Jim Davidson apparently took exception to a number of wheelchair users in the front stalls of the Pavilions Arena.

"Mr Davidson cited the fact that a proportion of his act was aimed at disabled customers and that he would be unable to perform under these circumstances."

The comic asked if the Pavilions front-of-house manager would move the wheelchair users off to the sides.

The spokesman added: "Quite rightly, these customers were not prepared to move."

Mr Davidson walked out of the venue 15 minutes after the show was due to start with the scheduled support act.

Mr Hull, an ex-Royal Fusilier who was with his son and grandson, refused to move.

He said: "We were so annoyed. The majority of people were most indignant and thought Jim Davidson was a shower after that.

"He is supposed to do charity work for people in wheelchairs but no way."

Amid chaotic scenes in the foyer, rumours quickly swept through the bemused audience of Davidson's swipe at the disabled.

But Mr Hull said: "We knew what to expect in the show. We have seen him before and that is what you go for but we didn't expect to be pushed around.

"If they offered me tickets to go and see him again I wouldn't bother. Jim Davidson never had the gall to come out and apologise or say why he wanted us to move."

In a statement released on his behalf, Davidson said he "took the mick" out of everyone in the front row of his shows.

"As all the people in the front row were in wheelchairs, I feared it would appear I was specifically targeting disabled people.

"I asked if just some would mind moving. Much of my act depends upon audience reaction and, in fact, one part of the show involves getting the audience to gang up against the front row.

"I feared the perception would be I had picked on people specifically because they were in wheelchairs.

"My intention was not to hurt or offend anyone and I apologise if I have done so."