Van Morrison bans drinking at his Brighton Dome gig

Irish folk singer Van Morrison has announced that he is banning fans from buying drinks at his gig, because it disturbs him when fans visit the bar during his performance.

The 63-year-old star who is now tea total after battling alcohol addiction has told the Brighton Dome he wants no alcohol sold at any of its bars before or during his performance this Friday.

Van Morrison's agent says the ban had nothing to do with his drink problems during the 1970s and 1980s. The singer is well known for having a bad temperament refusing to play his best-known songs and turning his back on the audience or walking off stage, has complained in the past about being annoyed by crowds wandering around and said his shows should be about savouring the musical experience.

Promoter Danny Betesh, said: "It's an extension of something we've been doing for years. We have had a policy of no drinks being taken into the hall because certain artists find it off-putting to have the audience moving around."

The Brighton gig has already sparked anger from some fans because of the price of tickets. The cheapest seats, with restricted views, have been sold at £40 and the most expensive have cost £105! Now the booze ban is bound to cause even more controversy.

There's no news yet whether his forthcoming gigs at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall and Birmingham's Symphony Hall will also be alcohol free.

FUTURE GIGS