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Robbie Williams tribute act Darren Show accused of doing Something Stupid after appearing at Hempstead House Hotel in Sittingbourne drunk

A Robbie Williams impersonator has been accused of doing Something Stupid and reneging on a plea to Let Me Entertain You.

Darren Show, a tribute to the former Take That singer, appeared at Hempstead House in Sittingbourne and went down a storm – of angry protests.

The 42-year-old was accused by members of the sell-out, 107-strong audience of being drunk, repeating songs, forgetting lyrics and swearing.

Darren said he drank on the night due to anxiety attacks
Darren said he drank on the night due to anxiety attacks

Billed as a “perfect night out for the ladies”, Mr Show’s 90-minute act was eventually cut short, triggering a stream of complaints.

Mandy Holdstock, who runs the Bapchild hotel, said: “We’re absolutely appalled and devastated.

“According to staff, Mr Show had been drinking before he got here and we know, having spoken to people, he had eight pints of lager during the evening.

“His first set wasn’t too bad, but he was already beginning to repeat songs and missing out words.

“The second half went from bad to worse – he repeated Let Me Entertain You three times.

“When somebody said ‘You’ve already sung that song before’ he told them to ‘eff-off’, which was heard over the microphone by everybody.”

With the singer showing No Regrets, Mandy said a staff member signalled to him to end the show.

Robbie Williams impersonator, Darren Show
Robbie Williams impersonator, Darren Show

Mrs Holdstock said guests paid £35 and, although Friday’s anticlimax was not the fault of the venue, she would be taking “full responsibilty” and contacting parties who attended to discuss compensation.

Maidstone-based Mr Show, a tribute performer for 20 years, admitted the night was a disaster, blaming a severe panic attack and a lack of medication to treat it, for the poor showing.

“I’ve been under the doctor for the last year,” he said. “I was so ill... I didn’t want to do the show, but I didn’t want to let people down.

“The type of anxiety I’ve got literally takes over your life. I was in shock and had cold sweats, the only way to block it out was to have a couple of beers.”

Mr Show, a married father-of-two, said his illness was triggered by a break-in during which his home was “ransacked” by burglars.

He said he remembers nothing of the performance.

Hempstead House Hotel
Hempstead House Hotel

One complainant claimed as well as swearing and making homophobic comments, Mr Show “dragged a very elderly lady up on to the dance floor, nearly pulling her over.”

“I was in another place, mentally, so if they say I said that, I apologise,” Mr Show said.

“I’ve performed thousands of gigs all over the country for 20 years without a single complaint.

“Everyone has a bad day. Unfortunately for (that) audience, it was my bad day" - Darren Show

“Everyone has a bad day. Unfortunately for (that) audience, it was my bad day. If I offended people, I’m really sorry.”

Mr Show said a gig he played at a wedding the following night went “superbly” and promised fans there would be no repeat of his Hempstead House horror.

He’s even offered to return to the venue and perform a free show.

Mrs Holdstock said: “I really don’t think anybody would want to come back and see him, and I couldn’t take the risk for the reputation of Hempstead House.”

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