Weller lights up onstage - again

Brit rocker Paul Weller today faced his second complaint for smoking on stage within a week after he lit up in front of thousands of fans.

Weller and his crew ignored requests not to smoke during two gigs held last week at the local council-owned K2 Crawley venue in Crawley, West Sussex.

Officials from Crawley Borough Council said Weller’s defiance of the rules placed them in a “very difficult position” but they allowed the shows to continue.

It was the second complaint levelled at the former frontman of the Jam and the Style Council within a week.

The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, Essex, was issued with a warning by Southend Borough Council after Weller flouted anti-smoking regulations at the venue on Saturday.

Crawley Borough Council said it was reviewing its options before deciding if it is to take any further action. A spokesman said Weller could be fined, £60 (€72) if uncontested or £200 (€242) if the case goes to court.

The spokesman said: “Paul Weller and his crew were reminded that they couldn’t smoke on stage before and during both shows and after the first show.

“He chose to ignore that advice.

“Our staff could have stopped the show until he stopped smoking but they were concerned that if he walked off and did not complete the show, then there would have been 3,000 extremely unhappy fans.

“We were left in a very difficult position but our priority was the safety of the crowd. The smoke posed a relatively minor risk compared to the potential crowd control problems had either show been suspended.

“Our staff decided that continuing the performance was the most sensible option to take. He could be fined for the offence – £60 if uncontested or £200 if the case goes to court.

“We are reviewing our options.”