Friends of veteran comic Duncan Norvelle have slammed a venue for pulling his gig at the last minute – because he uses a wheelchair.

The comic, famed in the 1980s for his ‘chase me’ catchphrase, suffered a stroke seven years ago,  but continues to perform and was booked to play The Mansefield 2 in Rugely, Staffordshire. on Saturday night.

But hours before the 61-year-old was due on stage as part of a variety line-up, venue chiefs axed his appearance.

Norvelle’s manager Kev Orkian – a former Britain’s Got Talent contestant – said the committee there told him the comic was ‘too wheelchair-bound to get on stage, and his performance might be too slow and not good enough’.

‘This is unbelievable and unacceptable,’ Orkian raged online. ‘So this is how we treat our legendary comedians when they suffer a stroke and all they want to do is make people

laugh. Disgusting behaviour.’

Norevelle’s wife Linda also told the Mirror: "This is not right. I am so angry and incensed about it.’

Broadcaster Alex Belfield has demanded Norvelle be paid for the cancellation, and offered to fund the legal action’, while the comic’s friend, Elvis tribute act Rik Gaynor, called the move ‘totally disgusting’.

In response, the venue said ‘both parties are at fault for a lack of communication’.

They said they knew Norvelle  had suffered a stroke, but understood he needs just a stick to get around. When they saw an Instagram post of him with a wheelchair, they realised their venue – which is not accessible – may not b suitable. They claimed correspondence about the comic’s needs went unanswered.

‘In no way was this a matter of discrimination,’ they said. ’It was to ensure his well-being whilst performing. We apologise for any misunderstanding or stress this may have caused to Duncan we had no intentions of causing him to feel discriminated against.’