But he was forced to stump up the cash himself after hotel staff alerted the Guild Hall as he tried to check out – and they
refused to pay for his drinking spree.

Danan returned to his room at Preston's Holiday Inn after his shameful showing at the Preston Christmas lights switch on last Wednesday when he swore on stage and hit the minibar, running up a bill of around £90.

In the morning, as he left, reception informed him of his drinks bill but he told them the Guild Hall would pay. So they called there to check.

Guild Hall general manager Chris Haylett said: "I got a phone call on Thursday morning from the Holiday Inn who said he had a minibar bill of about £90.

"I think he had been drowning his sorrows.

"He was expecting us to pay for the whole lot. The Chamber of Commerce was paying for his room.

"Then he was checking out and he had this extortionate bar bill and he was expecting us to pay that as well.

"The member of staff over there had an awkward situation as he was trying to check out and, thankfully, she used her commonsense and rang me.

"I had to go through the production company and get his agent to call him and say 'No, I'm sorry, you will have to pay for that yourself'."

Paul Danan was unavailable for comment.

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