Well, Mark, I wasn't at the show but I've seen Vegas' show several times before. I've read your account and I've read Mary O'Hara's. I must admit I tend you believe your account rather than hers. You know your comedy and you're not trying to 'flog your blog'. "Friday's gig needs to be openly debated" reads a little like sensationalism to me. Perhaps La O'Hara would be better suited at The Sun. Who knows, maybe it *is* a class thing - I always found Vegas' pathetic comedy character to be sound but I do think that Richard Herring's 'girlfriend' shtick is genuinely creepy. P.S - I wonder if O'Hara really does go to comedy gigs 'almost every week'. She sounds a little contextually challenged if you ask me.

Steve, May 2008

As someone who was there at the gig, I am appalled that this abuse of power and demonstration of casual misogyny was allowed to take place. Yes there are many more female comics on th circuit but this incident is indicitive of the low-level sexism that still exists in comedy. It's unfortunate that toss pieces such as Vegas and Brendon Burns ever have their mikes switched on.

J L Peters, May 2008

I'm sorry but I feel that this entire gig (and my review of it) has been taken out of context. I would argue that the people currently flaming me for my comments have no real right to if they were not themselves at the show. I am amazed that people are so media illiterate that they are happy to take one journalist's manipulation of an event as fact and base their opinions on this. Anybody present at the gig would recognise that the journalist is writing with bias and taking advantage of the ease with which it is possible to take a comedians material out of the context of live performance. My comments on this gig were written before this article was published and any controversy had been highlighted so the reference to Vegas sexually molesting a librarian was written very much tongue in cheek as that was the pretence. I can assure you that as a bona fide audience member and witness that the girl was not being sexually assaulted! The suggestion of this is laughable! When Vegas kissed her, the lady pushed her head forwards off the stage and prolonged the kiss herself! Yes, it did not look pretty! Yes, some people did not find it funny! This is often the case with Vegas's act but it was not sexual assault like has been claimed! The notion that the "pallbearers" looked visibly disturbed is absurd as all I saw was them enjoying stealing Vegas's Guinness behind his back! The whole article is warped and an obvious manipulation.

Mark, May 2008

Having read the Guardian's view of the show, I'm appalled that fame and supposed talent can allow someone to molest an audience member who was clearly in thrall. Although to what, I can't imagine. Shame on those laughing, too.

Caroline, May 2008

Dear Mark, I suggest you reset your brain back to 'Decent Chap' mode. Sexual assault, even in the - rather suspect - name of comedy, is not laughable, nor should it be made to seem so.

Lisa Feinson, May 2008

The Guardian took a very different view of the show. Apparently sexual molestation is the new rock and roll. Maybe Bernard Manning isn't dead after all.

Kev F, May 2008

So, assaulting someone is OK as long as you're working-class and/or someone (who must be working-class too I suppose) gets a laugh out of it? It seems a patronising generalisation to portray the 'working class' as being in favour of crude sexual harassment!

Mike Simms, May 2008

This was the most enjoyable night of comedy I have ever experienced. Stewart Lee and Simon Munnery were awesome and I was really made up that the special guest was Johnny Vegas! The discomfort in the predominately middle class section of the audience I was sitting was palpable during Vegas's set! During the bit where Vegas was sexually molesting a librarian whilst singing Shakespeare Sister's Stay With Me Baby I overheard a lady behind mutter under her breath 'this is hideous!'. The scene was horrifying yet hilarious and Vegas was relentless until Simon Munnery covered the spectacle with his jacket! I will be laughing about this evening for a very long time! All three comedians were on top form.

Mark, April 2008