Wayne Denton and Janet Martin said they were told their gold VIP experience meeting was off
Barry Manilow fans Wayne Denton and Janet Martin(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
A Barry Manilow impersonator was left feeling “humiliated” after claiming he was denied the chance to meet his idol because of his outfit. Wayne Denton was scheduled to meet the singer at the M&S Bank Arena on June 13, but he says the meeting was stopped because his appearance was considered “insulting” to the star.
Wayne tours the country with his business partner, Janet Martin, performing as Barry due to his physical similarities to the US megastar. The pair have attended the singer’s concerts and events on more than 20 occasions across the world, including in the UK, Las Vegas and Toronto, spending thousands of pounds for front-row experiences.
The pair purchased two front-row gold VIP packages for the Liverpool show costing £2,481.01. The tickets would’ve allowed them to enjoy the concert, meet Barry afterwards and receive a professional photo with the star. Instead, Wayne claimed a member of Barry’s team refused them entry and told them their attire was “insulting”.
After the show, the pair went to the rendezvous point where the VIP ticket holders were to meet. Janet claims a man at the door told them to stop and that they would not be attending the meet and greet due to Wayne’s appearance, which included a sparkly jacket and wig. He says he wears the wig regularly in his personal life due to being bald.
Barry Manilow performs on the runway during the Michael Kors Collection(Image: Getty Images for Michael Kors)
The orange Copacabana jacket worn by Wayne and created by Janet represented a substantial artistic project across several years. The collection comprises eight replica stage jackets inspired by Barry Manilow’s concert wardrobe.
In a recording heard by the ECHO, a man informs the pair Wayne needed to remove his wig and jacket. Janet disputed the rule, calling it “out of order”.
Afterwards, another staff male member, who claimed to be in charge, came forward and said: “I’m sorry. I’ve been instructed we can’t do the wig and the jacket. It’s an absolute no.”
Wayne asked whether the wig was the primary issue, while Janet responded that asking her business partner to remove it was insulting, arguing that “women wear wigs too.” The man replied: “It’s actually insulting to Barry, so it’s an absolute no.”
The first staff member interjected to say “It’s nothing to do with wearing a wig,” before the second added: “You are both being insulting to Mr Manilow. Both of you. We’re not having this argument.”
The pair requested a refund which the staff member “guaranteed” to deliver. Afterwards, Wayne said: “We can take the jacket off but the wig – there are lots of people wearing wigs.”
Barry Manilow fans Wayne Denton and Janet Martin(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
After attempting to come to an agreement by removing the jacket and keeping the wig on, the pair were refused and told they would be given a refund.
As the recording, heard by the ECHO, continued, Janet claimed no dress code was listed in the email or booking. The man in charge replied: “Come on, it’s common sense.” She then asked whether a baseball cap was available for Wayne to wear, but she was told they did not want to “get security involved.”
Wayne suggested Janet meet Barry herself but she refused to leave her friend behind. The staff reassured them both they would receive a full refund excluding the price of the seats.
Janet told the ECHO a refund has been issued as promised, but the experience has left them both “upset and humiliated”.
She said: “I’ve got tickets for September and I don’t want to go. I feel sick. We’ve seen him so many times and had the best seats.
Barry Manilow fans Wayne Denton and Janet Martin(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
“It was awful, to be honest. Wayne wears his wig everywhere because he is bald. It was so humiliating. We’re massive fans and we put our show together four years ago. It’s a real show with a brass band and a real tribute but it’s made me look at it all a different way now.”
Barry Manilow’s team was approached for comment.