Morrissey abandons Liverpool show after being hit on head

Morrissey brought the UK leg of his current tour to an abrupt halt in Liverpool tonight (November 7) when he walked offstage after being hit on the head by a drink thrown from the audience.

The former Smiths singer said simply "goodbye" at the Liverpool Echo Arena following the incident, and left the stage in the middle of his second song. He had started with The Smiths classic 'This Charming Man' and was in the middle of 'Black Cloud' when the incident happened.

There are conflicting eyewitness reports over whether it was a plastic cup or a bottle that struck Morrissey, after which the show was stopped for around 15 minutes as the crowd chanted his name.

Later a member of the crew announced that the singer had been hit on the head by a bottle and the concert would not continue. The audience were then told they would receive a full refund.

Merseyside Police have been informed about the incident, Echo Arena general manager Tim Banfield said.

"We are exceptionally disappointed that one individual should choose to recklessly cause the concert to be abandoned, ruining what should have been a brilliant night out for thousands of Morrissey fans. The Echo Arena team take great care to ensure the safety of visitors and artists at the venue," he said.

Morrissey is now due to travel to Holland to continue European dates on Monday (November 9) in Nijmegen. There is no indication that the Dutch show will be effected by the Liverpool incident.

It has been an eventful series of dates for Morrissey. He was hospitalised after collapsing onstage at the Swindon Oasis on October 25, the second night of the tour, forcing the postponement of a show in Bournemouth on October 26.

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