2026-06-18 13:00:12

A Barry Manilow superfan has been banned from meeting his idol because his wig and jacket were deemed an insult to the music star.

Wayne Denton, the 69-year-old superfan from the UK, spent an eye-popping £2,400 on VIP tickets to attend a concert in Liverpool and an after-show meet-and-greet with the music icon – but he ultimately left feeling disappointed.

Wayne – who has a Manilow tribute act called Celebrating Barry and has previously met the American superstar – told The Sun newspaper: “I was humiliated. It’s a wig I wear partly because I’ve got no hair.”

Footage from the M and S Bank Arena in Liverpool has shown Wayne being blocked from attending the meet-and-greet by staff.

The staff member is heard saying: “We can’t do the wig and jacket. It’s insulting to Barry.”

Wayne, however, has insisted he wasn’t told of there being a dress code in place before he entered the arena.

Meanwhile, Manilow recently claimed that he’s always been a reluctant showman.

The 83-year-old star has enjoyed a hugely successful career in the music business, with hits such as Could It Be Magic, Weekend in New England, Can’t Smile Without You, and Copacabana (At the Copa) – but Manilow admits he still doesn’t see himself as a singer.

He told the Guardian newspaper: “My first love is not being a performer or even a singer.

“I don’t consider myself a singer; I consider myself a musician. And you know, if this wonderful part of my career hadn’t exploded the way it did, I would be playing piano in some Paris bar and I would be a happy guy, really.”

Manilow’s career has spanned more than 60 years, but he still doesn’t feel entirely comfortable in the spotlight.

He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever really gotten used to it … It’s just not who I am. I’ve figured out how to do it. And the way to do is to be honest with these audiences. Because I don’t know how to not be honest on that stage.”

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