It's Adam R-ant as 80s singer loses the plot at church concert
Pop star Adam Ant outraged fans at a Christian charity concert with a series of blasphemous four-letter rants.
The 1980s star verbally abused his audience throughout a bizarre 30-minute show at a family-friendly concert in aid of starving children in the Philippines.
There was a buzz of excitement in the air when the Prince Charming singer took to the stage at Oasis Centre, a Pentecostal Church on Upper Arundel Street, Landport.
But the aging rocker soon upset Christians by starting his set with Sympathy for the Devil by Rolling Stones.
He then spent most of the gig teaching song lyrics to a four-year-old boy he had invited up on stage.
As shocked and disappointed fans heckled and started to leave, the musician swore at them and made it clear Christians were not welcome.
A fight broke out after the concert finished at 11pm. The on-stage scuffle was between Adam Ant's twin nieces Alex and Naomi Hewston, 22, and Sam Courtney - son of Portsmouth music promoter Nick Courtney. Both sides accuse the other of starting the fracas.
Adam Ant - who has been staying at the Lady Hamilton Hotel, The Hard, Portsmouth - spoke to The News in his hotel room yesterday.
He refused to apologise for his behaviour on Monday night. Instead, he launched in to another tirade - against the whole of Portsmouth.
He said: 'I'm a bit upset. I liked this place but I don't like this place any more.
'When I get back to London I'm telling everyone this place is worse than Birmingham or Manchester.
'I came here to see Victory and Warrior because I'm proud to be English. I didn't come here for this.'
He added: 'I won't talk to any locals any more because they are all gangsters.'
Promoter Nick Courtney, who had booked the artist after hearing he was on holiday in Portsmouth, said the gig was the 'worst he'd ever seen anyone play'.
He added: 'He basically alienated and abused the crowd. It probably started off with 150 people and ended up about 50.
Families and children were there, it was totally inappropriate.'
Rick Reilly-Davidson had organised the charity event for Philippines Community Foundation.
He said: 'The bloke has been in and out of mental institutions. You can't say we expected a saint but he did say the wrong things and has upset people.'
However, Mr Reilly-Davidson hailed the gig a 'success' because it raised 1,500 for the charity.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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