Jason Manford has been praised for his reaction towards a family watching his latest theatre show.
The comedian is currently starring as Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz in London and spotted a youngster upset in the audience during Sunday's matinee.
Not long into the show, the boy, wearing ear defenders, and his family left their seats at the London Palladium, where Jason is appearing alongside Ashley Banjo as the Tin Man.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
Jason took to social media after the incident to say: "I really hope the family with the little boy with ear defenders on, sat on the second row got seated somewhere else during todays matinee. I saw that he was a little upset in our opening scene and I was gutted to see you had had to vacate your seats so early on. Been thinking about it ever since. Sending love to whoever you are."
He later added: "Massive respect to any parent or carers who brings their children to the theatre, but especially those whose children have additional needs. I could not respect you anymore and I want you to know that any noises or disturbances that to you may feel huge. To us up on stage, we don’t mind one tiny bit, we’re so privileged that you went for it and brought them to our show. Theatre is for everyone!"
The Starstruck star was inundated with praise for his reaction to the boy, with many families saying more people need to have a better understanding of children with additional needs.
"I was already a fan. But you’ve just made me love you even more," said one. "We are not anywhere near acceptance with regards to things like this. I’ve had disgusted looks, tuts and comments of ‘they need a good smack’ when he has lost control, of course I’ve become well prepared with my replies now. But in the beginning I wasn’t brave, I felt like I needed a sign to hold up to try and explain.
"My other children missed out at times because of this and so did he. Thank you for using your platform for all the good you do. Every little step brings us closer to acceptance."
"Thank you for saying this Jason, and saying it so publicly," said another. "My little girl is pre-verbal autistic and 7yrs, and it’s very hard to go anywhere (theatre, cinema, even a café or a supermarket) as people just really don’t understand her sensory behaviour (in her case she runs/ tries to climb - so they think she’s being naughty).
"Love that you’ve said this and I hope the family in question were able to watch the rest of your set."
The show is running at the Palladium until September. Jason will be back in panto in Manchester this Christmas when he reunites with Ben Nickless for the Opera House show Jack and the Beanstalk.
Stockport-based Jason made his panto debut last year as baddie Hook in The Adventures of Peter Pan, but this year will take on the role of the hero of the piece as Jack.
