But church denies being involved

A comedian who goes by the name Welsh Jesus has told how he had a show cancelled on religious grounds.

Gareth Hunt, was due to perform on a mixed-bill night at the Heolgerrig Social Club in his home town of Merthyr and tickets had been on sale for few weeks.

However, the gig was cancelled and Hunt told Nation Cymru: ‘When I asked why I was told: "We rent the club building off the church and they are not happy with us having a Jesus act."

He said he offered to perform as himself if that made things easier, but that was declined too. 

‘It’s a shame really that the people who have stopped the gig from going ahead haven’t even seen the show before so I don’t know how they can disapprove of something they haven’t seen,’ he added. ‘It’s very strange’

Heolgerrig Social Club rents the venue from the Nation Changers church – but a spokesman there denied the gig was cancelled because of the religious connotations. 

They told  Nation Cymru: ‘The act was wrongly informed that the church was involved or requested the cancellation of the show. This is incorrect and has been addressed with the committee of the club.

‘The only involvement the church has with the club is as landlords and as such, we have no influence or veto on what events they put on or acts they book.’

The club declined to comment on the situation. 

The news comes after the Advertising Standards Authority banned a Fern Brady tour poster for being sacrilegious. 

Published: 2 Dec 2024