ENTERTAINMENT bosses today demanded an apology from a top comedian after he offended theatregoers during his act. The call came after comedian Sean Hughes asked latecomers to his act at Ipswich Corn Exchange if they had been out “killing prostitutes”, leaving the audience shocked and surprised by the exchange.

ENTERTAINMENT bosses today demanded an apology from a top comedian after he offended theatregoers during his act.

The call came after comedian Sean Hughes asked latecomers to his act at Ipswich Corn Exchange if they had been out “killing prostitutes”, leaving the audience shocked and surprised by the exchange.

In a further move, comedians coming to Ipswich will be told to refrain from referring to the Ipswich killings during their acts.

The deaths of five prostitutes in the town last year remains such a sensitive issue that bosses at the council-owned Corn Exchange and Regent Theatre have requested entertainers avoid making fun of the subject.

Judy Terry, Ipswich Borough councillor who has responsibility for leisure and culture, said she was outraged by the comments.

She said: “I thought his comments were a disgrace. This is not a subject for humour and we will most certainly be telling guest performers to avoid using the subject in this way.”

The performer mentioned the killings a number of times during the first half his two hour act, leaving the audience unsure how to respond.

One onlooker said he accused the audience of being “zombie - like” when they didn't laugh at his comments during Thursday's show.

Mrs Terry said using the killings, which brought worldwide media attention to the town, to make people laugh was degrading.

She added: “Everyone in Ipswich has been affected by these awful events last year. I think the people of Ipswich handled themselves with great sensitivity at a very difficult time.

“The town was in mourning for months. We are asking Sean Hughes for a public apology. He should say sorry.”

Despite several attempts to contact him, Mr Hughes was unavailable for comment.

Were you in the audience? What do you think of the request to acts not to mention the killings? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.