Noel Fielding No Show At Sold Out Melbourne Gig

Fans of Noel Fielding were kept waiting nearly an hour past start-of-show time before the UK comedian cancelled his Melbourne gig tonight.

The sold out Athanaeum crowd was left watching a loop of Fielding - star of The Mighty Boosh - slides for half an hour before it was announced that there would be a further twenty minute delay due to a "technical difficulty". And despite one fan tweeting that Fielding had 'waved and smiled' at her just before the 8pm show time, theatre management appeared on the stage to announce that the show was being cancelled due to illness.

It was implied Fielding was suffering some kind of stomach disorder and punters were informed that tonight's tickets would be valid for a re-scheduled Thursday night show.

Promoters have now issued a statement regarding the show, stating that the popular British comic was a no show, "Due to a sudden illness".

The statement continued, reading that he's been "forced to postpone the first of his two totally sold out Melbourne shows tonight."

WIth the show rescheduled for Thursday, "Ticket holders who cannot attend can receive a full refund from the point [of purchase]."

The promoters added that tomorrow's show was expected to go ahead as planned.

Tweets reactions from the night:

#Noelfielding excuse for canceling switched from tech problem tostomach upset. One of these excuses is not like the other

— Inpress (@inpressmag) October 23, 2012

At #noelfielding technical fault? No he's sick.. Gig cancelled!

— Dave O'Neil (@itsdaveoneil) October 23, 2012

I went to a #NoelFielding gig and all I got was pretty drunk, nauseous from halitosis man and a $12 parking receipt

— emma (@tracky_dacks) October 23, 2012

Uhhh does the Athenaeum not realise that we'd actually pay MORE to watch Noel Fielding do standup while pooping and throwing up? #sicknoel

— Bridget Neval (@bridgetneval) October 23, 2012

Got home to cat vomit on the couch. My cat is Noel Fielding and I never knew.

— Teleporting cat (@KWoollacott) October 23, 2012

Excuse me while I die because Noel Fielding waved and smiled at me and I'm just gonna roll around forever

— Andrea Miller (@aaaaerdna) October 23, 2012

@inpressmag yep totally fucked. I'm surrounded by crying teenagers. Thanks @noelfielding11 (unless you really are sick...)

— fionafinonia (@fionafinonia) October 23, 2012