Geordie Shore star Scotty T brands panto pay row ‘absolutely disgraceful’ as the show is cancelled following cast salary dispute
Reality star has blasted organisers on Twitter after they confirmed the production had been scrapped
SCOTTY T has branded organisers of his cancelled Christmas pantomime "absolutely disgraceful" after the show was scrapped following a dispute over pay.
The Geordie Shore star had signed up to star in the production of Snow White in Leeds, but pulled out amid claims he had not been paid in full - and now the show has been axed.
Last night's show was called off at the last minute, and it has been confirmed the rest of the run will not be going ahead due to "industrial issues".
Ticket holders were asked to apply for refunds.
Scotty, who had been playing Prince Charming, previously walked out after alleging he only received 10 per cent of his fee and claims he even lent “the production over £7000 to cover accommodation and flooring for the venue”.
He has now posted a scathing rant on Twitter criticising organisers over the cancellation.
The TV star reposted a link to a story about the scrapping of the show, and wrote: "Absolutely disgraceful."
He added: "The amount of people not paid before Christmas. Absolutely shocking...
"[Organisers] have some explaining to do and money to pay."
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Deborah De Vittoris, who was promoting the production said the cast “refused” to go on stage on Thursday night.
Speaking to the , she said: “The entire cast had been promised full payment for a number of weeks.
“The cast refused to go on stage on Thursday night because they haven’t been fully paid. Jimmy Cricket announced to the audience that the show was cancelled.”
A statement from the directors Liberty Events (Leeds) Ltd was posted on the White Rose Theatre’s website confirmed that all remaining shows will not take place.
It read: “It is with the deepest regret and our sincere apologies to patrons that due to industrial issues that Liberty Events (Leeds) Ltd hereby advise the remaining scheduled performances of the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the White Rose Theatre, Leeds are cancelled.
“Applications for full refunds for the aforesaid performances effected and the 7pm performance of Thursday, December 29 should be addressed to our contact page.”
Brookside star Louis Emerick said he turned up to find the show had been cancelled.
He told : “We turned up today with the intention of working and found out it had been cancelled, the place had started to be gutted out.
“We’ve carried on working in good faith with promises the money would come forward, but that never happened.”
In a statement released to The Sun Online following his departure, Scotty revealed he left due to monetary issues.
He claimed the creators of the pantomime, White Rose Productions, “have continually given me false promises of payment,” and that “they had not planned any method of payment.”
Scotty also alleged the panto was a “scam”, stating: “In my view, this whole production has been a scam with no funds for wages from day one and false promises delivered from the directors about funds.”
The TV star also said in his statement that he had “no contact from the directors of the company with a promise to pay.”
He went on to apologise to fans, writing: “I would like to apologise to everyone who has purchased tickets for the event and I’m so sorry that I will no longer be a part of this performance
“I am sad that I have not been able to finish my commitment to the rest of the cast.
“I apologise to anyone who was hoping to see me in the performance, but I hope you understand my reasons.”
Last week, Nicholas Towell, director of Liberty Events, released a statement in response to Scotty’s claims saying: “Liberty Events (Leeds) Ltd is aware of the remarks that appeared on Mr Scott Timlin’s (aka Scotty T ) Twitter account yesterday.
“It would be inappropriate of this company to comment further at this time whilst our legal team review the statement and are in receipt of all the facts.
“In the meantime the cast and this company are committed to ensuring the show goes on.
“We take this opportunity to thank cast and crew for their continued loyalty to the production with special thanks to Mr Darrien Wright for stepping into the role left vacant by Mr Timlin with only one hours notice yesterday. A star is born they say, he delivered a superb performance received by a most appreciative audience.”