Second Biddy O’Loughlin comedy show cancelled by Duke of York Hotel – and she blames the ‘woke mind virus’

Controversial Adelaide comedian Biddy O’Loughlin has had a second show canned, labelling a crusade against her as “virtuous social justice warriors throwing a tantrum”.

The sold-out show of an Adelaide comedian has been squashed just days after she celebrated finding a venue to host her controversial routine.

Biddy O’Loughlin was booked for an upcoming gig at the Crown & Anchor Hotel on October 15 but she was dumped from the gig after complaints about her material.

She then secured a venue at the Duke of York Hotel and on Thursday celebrated that the October 12 show had sold out – before it too was squashed.

O’Loughlin – the daughter of popular comedian Fiona O’Loughlin – said the latest cancellation was related to her trans and gender identity views and social media posts.

She has made no secret of her beliefs on gender identity on social media, where she appears in a red hat with the words Make Women Female Again – a play on Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan.

Adelaide comedian Biddy O'Loughlin has had another gig cancelled. Picture: Keryn Stevens

A line in some of the promotions for the show – “No retarded people please” – also drew a backlash.

She said it was a joke about people who don’t get jokes and it was “ironic” it was being used against her.

O’Loughlin said while she was disappointed, the venue was also a victim and she was now on the hunt for another venue.

“I was pretty devastated but I’ve had some good people, who have also been cancelled, counsel me,” she said.

“The funny thing about cancel culture is that they actually put a spotlight on you, unwittingly.

“So they should stop cancelling people they hate, because it’s not working.”

Biddy O’Loughlin’s next show at the Duke of York getting cancelled.

A social media post from Biddy O’Loughlin relating to her cancelled show.

She said the backlash the venue copped was another example of cancel culture hurting society.

“I think it’s the woke mind virus and it’s the fear that they put into the people,” she said.

“This poor venue, the Duke, I feel bad that I named them but I had to, I can’t get cancelled and be silent because I feel bad for the pub because that’s actually going to hurt those guys – the fear they put into you of cancellation, that threat.”

Duke of York publican Amin Ayoubi confirmed his business received boycott threats from patrons and other event bookings, and the pressure was too great to let O’Loughlin’s gig go ahead.

“We have received a lot of hatred messages on social media … and pressure to say ‘they can’t believe the Duke is supporting that’,” he said.

“It’s purely a business decision … there was huge pressure on us. Given the business is not there in the city as it is – I’m not for or against anything in this – we are the middle people who get punished.”

Biddy O’Loughlin in her Make Women Female Again hat. Picture: Instagram/biddyoloughlin

While the latest setback has the comedian worried about her ability to secure gigs and events in the future, she is unwavering in her belief comedy should be free from the threat of cancel culture.

“I don’t think there should be a line in comedy, I think the audience should decide that otherwise you’re inhibiting the comedians from getting to the funny bits,” she said.

“You should be able to say whatever you want and they’ll laugh or not, because they’ll get the nature of the joke or that you’re just being mean and they won’t come to your show.”