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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Mark Watson hosts surprise gig and buys everyone a drink as show axed over Queen's death

Comedian Mark Watson held a surprise gig and bought the crowd drinks after being forced to cancel a show due to Queen Elizabeth II's death.

The Never Mind The Buzzcocks star performed in Kettering, Northamptonshire, for two hours on Saturday, much to the delight of fans.

The stand-up comedian said he turned up outside the venue which was due to host him because he had already bought train tickets and didn't want them to go to waste.

Around 50 people watched the show and even got free drinks during the interval thanks to Mark.

Mark was due to perform at Kettering Arts Centre, in St Andrew’s Church, but had to postpone as it was used for the public to pay their respects to the late Queen.

Mark did an impromptu gig (Northamptonshire Telegraph/ SWNS)

He announced the last-minute performance on Twitter.

"It’s disappointing, and I already have my train tickets so I’ll be outside the venue at 7.30pm for a (free) unofficial gig," he tweeted.

Mark revealed he ordered 40 bears and 25 wines for the interval.

Speaking on the Kettering gig, Mark explained he had a 'lovely time' during the 'unusual situation'.

His original gig was cancelled due to the Queen's death (Northamptonshire Telegraph/ SWNS)

"I’m not sure how many people turned out but it was quite a lot more than I expected and it was pretty fun I think," he said.

"I respect everyone who wishes to observe this period of mourning by not doing this sort of thing."

He continued: "But I think it is also nice that people have the opportunity to have things like entertainment and sport and other things because, at the end of the day, we’re quite a resilient nation.

He bought the crowd beers and wine (Northamptonshire Telegraph/ SWNS)

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“I didn’t know the Queen, obviously, but I think she’d have not minded what people did as long as it increased the net happiness of people.”

His show This Can’t Be It has been postponed by Kettering Arts Centre for Wednesday, November 23.

Following the gig, he thanked fans for showing up to his last-minute performance.

"That was fun, if you like the same sort of things as me (comedy in unusual surroundings). BIG credits to @sketchbookflo for online work and @BookishlyUK for the mic and amp," he tweeted.

Mark later added: "We’ll have a link up soon to watch this, although it depends how much you want to watch 90 mins improv about a Northamptonshire town."

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