NORTH-EAST comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown failed to see the funny side when a fan heckled him.

Brown, who specialises in blue jokes, was insulted when a man swore at him before his end of the pier show, Blackpool magistrates heard yesterday.

Brown, 58, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, but formerly of Teesside, appeared in court under his real name, Roy Vasey. He pleaded guilty to assault.

He was fined £200 with £70 costs and ordered to pay £80 compensation.

Jo Shepherd, prosecuting, said holidaymaker Edward McCullough, 30, from Glasgow, went to ask about the price of tickets at the box office to see the comedian on Saturday, July 19, at the resort's North Pier.

He saw Brown walking along the pier, asked how he was and then swore at him.

Ms Shepherd said Brown reacted angrily and grabbed Mr McCullough.

She said: "He was dragged by his T-shirt and pulled along the floor. There was a further scuffle and the complainant was assaulted with a large golf umbrella."

Mr McCullough suffered bruising to his back ,elbow, arm and wrist.

Barry Speaker, defending, said : "His performance in the theatre is not how he behaves when he is not working."

Later, Brown said : "I would like to apologise for what happened."

But he added: "Some people cannot differentiate between what I am and what I say on stage."