A NEW venue has been found for controversial anti-trans campaigner and comic Graham Linehan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Linehan, who has claimed that the pink and blue on the trans rights flag are “the paedophile colours” and that "almost every central trans figure is a nonce", had his show at Leith Arches cancelled over his views.
The venue announced it would not stage Linehan’s show on August 15, two days before it was due to go ahead.
Comedy Unleashed, the gig organisers behind the show, have said a new venue has been confirmed – but did not reveal where.
READ MORE: Fringe venue makes public statement after Graham Linehan cancellation
Co-founder Andy Shaw told the BBC that several stages had been offered up after an appeal in the wake of Linehan’s show cancellation.
"We have found what we think is a really appropriate venue which will become obvious on Thursday night why we think it is particularly appropriate," he added.
Andrew Doyle, another co-founder who also works for GB News, wrote on Twitter: "We have found an alternative venue for our cancelled Edinburgh fringe show. Ticket holders will be informed of the address on the day of the performance.
"Pharisees need not attend."
We have found an alternative venue for our cancelled Edinburgh fringe show. 🥳
— Andrew Doyle (@andrewdoyle_com) August 16, 2023
Ticket holders will be informed of the address on the day of the performance.
Pharisees need not attend. pic.twitter.com/wWPo1h1Xbe
Linehan’s show had not been publicised, until Tuesday only being billed as from a "surprise famous cancelled comedian".
Once the performer became public, Leith Arches pulled the show.
The venue said in a statement: “We would like to thank the public for bringing to our attention, about a comedian who had been booked for an upcoming comedy show at our venue this Thursday, which we WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF until today via e-mails from, rightly so, outraged members of our community.
"We DO NOT support this comedian, or his views, and he WILL NOT be allowed to perform at our venue and is CANCELLED from Thursday’s comedy show with immediate effect.
“An outside organiser was responsible for the line up and we were unaware as to who was performing until now.
“We are an inclusive venue and will not allow such views to violate our space.”
Linehan (above) said he would consider legal action if the decision was not reversed.
He told Talk TV: “The only good thing about it is that it’s drawing more attention to the fact that, essentially, a group of highly ideological cultists have taken over institutions across society.
“If they apologise and put the gig on, I’ll say no more about it, but otherwise I’ll be looking at legal action.”
Linehan is known for creating or co-creating hit sitcoms such as Father Ted, Black Books, and The IT Crowd.
He has previously said that his outspoken attacks on trans rights have lost him work and contributed to the break-up of his marriage.
Linehan’s Twitter account was previously suspended in 2020 for a "hateful conduct rules breach" but has since been reinstated after Elon Musk took charge of the platform.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel