Barry Manilow fan says dream meet-and-greet ended in disappointment

A longtime Barry Manilow fan has said he was recently stopped from meeting the singer because the staff objected to his wig and tribute outfit.

Wayne Denton, 69, and his friend Janet Martin, 54, bought VIP tickets worth £2,480 for Barry Manilow's concert in Liverpool. The package included front-row seats and a chance to meet the singer after the show.

Wayne, who performs in a Barry Manilow tribute act called Celebrating Barry, attended the concert wearing an orange sparkly jacket and a wig inspired by the singer's younger look.

After the show, Wayne and Janet were preparing to attend the meet-and-greet when staff told him he would need to remove the wig and jacket. According to a recording of the exchange, staff said the outfit was considered insulting to Manilow.

Janet argued that the request was unfair and embarrassing. She said many people wear wigs and felt asking Wayne to remove his in public was humiliating.

"When they said about losing the wig, I just said 'this is really insulting to Wayne," Daily Star quoted Janet.

"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," the outlet further cited her.

The pair tried to find a solution. Wayne offered to take off the jacket and Janet even asked whether he could wear a baseball cap instead. However, staff continued to refuse entry.

Wayne suggested Janet attend the meet-and-greet without him, but she declined.

The two were later told they would receive a refund for the meet-and-greet portion of their VIP package, although not for their concert seats.

Janet said she was shocked by the decision because they viewed the outfit as a tribute to Barry Manilow rather than an insult. She explained that the orange jacket was specially designed to celebrate the singer and was one of several replica stage costumes inspired by his concerts.

The pair, who have attended more than 20 Barry Manilow shows around the world, said they were deeply disappointed by the experience. 

Janet also questioned whether the decision reflected Barry Manilow's own views.