Essex Barry Manilow tribute act refused meeting with singer

Janet Martin, 54, from Great Saling Essex, had travelled to Liverpool for the Barry Manilow's show at the M&S Bank Arena on June 13, hoping to surprise her business partner, Wayne Denton, with the VIP experience.

The pair had spent £2,480 on gold packages that included a post-show meet-and-greet with the US singer.

Ms Martin said: "When they said about losing the wig, I just said 'this is really insulting to Wayne.'

Wayne Denton and his business partner Janet Martin backstage at a Barry Manilow gig after they were denied a paid for meeting with the star because Wayne's wig and jacket were deemed insulting. (Image: Janet Martin / SWNS)

"I said, because lots of people wear wigs and women wear wigs, this is really insulting because it's a real hair wig, and that replicates Wayne's own hair before he went bald.

"I was taken aback, really, because I thought that's really personal and a very sensitive subject."

Mr Denton, who performs as part of the tribute act Celebrating Barry, was wearing a bright orange 'Copacabana' jacket and a wig.

They recently performed in Braintree in a 'full circle' moment, yards from where Manilow enjoyed an omelette.

The jacket was one of eight replica stage jackets created by Ms Martin and inspired by Barry Manilow’s iconic concert costumes.

Wayne Denton and his business partner Janet Martin backstage at a Barry Manilow gig after they were denied a paid for meeting with the star because Wayne's wig and jacket were deemed insulting. (Image: Janet Martin / SWNS)

However, before meeting the star, the pair were stopped by staff.

In a recording of the incident, one staff member told Mr Denton he would need to remove his wig and jacket.

After he took off the jacket and requested to keep the wig, entry was still denied.

Ms Martin said: "What did they expect us to do?

"Humiliate Wayne in the middle of this corridor, whipping a wig off?

"I mean, could you imagine anybody having to do that?

"That's really bad."

She explained to staff that the wig held personal meaning for Mr Denton, but was told the look was "insulting to Barry."

When she pointed out that many people, including women, wear wigs, staff replied: "It's actually insulting to Barry, so it's an absolute no."

Wayne Denton and his business partner Janet Martin backstage at a Barry Manilow gig after they were denied a paid for meeting with the star because Wayne's wig and jacket were deemed insulting. (Image: Janet Martin / SWNS)

The pair were told they would be refunded in full apart from the cost of their tickets.

Ms Martin said: "How can anyone find us insulting?

"We were wearing this joyous celebratory outfit celebrating Barry's return back to the stage.

"He's been ill, and no one thought he was going to tour, and he's touring.

"So we're celebrating the man and the music, you know?

"So I just couldn't get my head around it really."

Wayne Denton and his business partner Janet Martin backstage at a Barry Manilow gig after they were denied a paid for meeting with the star because Wayne's wig and jacket were deemed insulting. (Image: Janet Martin / SWNS)

She said she questioned whether the decision reflected Manilow's own views.

Ms Martin said: "I think what made me feel sick was we'd been at the front all night, dancing and enjoying ourselves, singing along, as everyone else does.

"I think Barry was literally six feet away from us, looking down from the stage.

"And what turned my stomach is, is that what he really thinks?

"Makes me feel ill thinking about it.

"So he's there looking down, and does he think we're disgusting people?

"Is that what he thinks?

Wayne Denton and his business partner Janet Martin backstage at a Barry Manilow gig after they were denied a paid for meeting with the star because Wayne's wig and jacket were deemed insulting. (Image: Janet Martin / SWNS)

"Because we don't really know.

"They said 'we've been told,' so who's told them?

"Or did they just make it up on the spot?"

Ms Martin said: "When you go to a concert of anybody, if it's, you know, ABBA, everybody dresses up, Taylor Swift, it's part of the experience, and everybody should be free to dress how they want to.

"It's not insulting.

"We weren't being insulting to anybody.

"Our outfits weren't insulting anybody."

A spokesman for Barry Manilow was contacted for comment.