A security guard who 'made everybody's night' after he was filmed dancing at a 90s pop concert in Manchester has now reacted to the clip that went viral. Les Perry, from Manchester, was caught busting out the dance moves at the AO Arena on Saturday night, much to the delight of fans who had been left disappointed when two headliners pulled out of the show.
The 48-year-old grandad, who also works in retail as well as for crowd management company Showsec, has since spoken of his surprise at the mammoth reaction after the clip was first shared by the Manchester Evening News.
Fans said he 'made their night' after they caught him grooving during a DJ set at the '90s Baby Pop' show, where the then-unidentified steward could be seen clapping his hands in the air and urging crowds to get up and join him, with others on social media demanding he gets a pay rise, sharing their own clips of him on Twitter and TikTok.
READ MORE ‘Give this man a pay rise’ - social media goes nuts for ‘dancing security guard’ at AO Arena pop gig
Laughing hysterically, Les told the M.E.N : "I was absolutely gobsmacked. I just couldn't believe a little dancing could have such a reaction.
"Working for Showsec isn't my only job, I also work in retail. It makes you realise customer service is the key to everything, if you can treat people nicely and put a smile on their face, that's all that matters."
Les said that he had originally been on the ground directing fans to their seats, and that as he waved his hands, people thought he was dancing to the tunes. Many fans had been left disappointed on the night, as Aqua and 2 Unlimited failed to make the gig.
"People just started laughing and enjoying it, so I went along with it," he said.
"Being on the ground in security, we can sometimes get the backlash when people are unhappy. There were some upset people who had probably come to see their favourite acts, so I was just really trying to cheer people up and put a smile on their faces.
"My family and friends all know how mental I am. I just think, there is no point not enjoying yourself. It doesn't matter if you look like an idiot as long as you are having a good time.
"I have always said that to my kids, as long as they are having fun and doing what makes them happy, who cares what anybody else thinks? I don't care if I look like a pr** if I am having a laugh. It doesn't bother me."
Being a hardcore Elvis fan, it is safe to say that 90's pop isn't Les' music of choice - but no matter the engagement, he says he always 'livens up the party'. Admitting he doesn't use Twitter or TikTok, he had no idea of the videos being shared of him after the gig or the reaction it had received until it was shared by the Manchester Evening News.
Fans had been left disappointed after Aqua, the Danish-Norwegian band known for their hits Barbie Girl and Doctor Jones, had to cancel their appearance after vocalist Lene Nystrøm lost her voice. Meanwhile, 2 Unlimited cited problems with ‘unforeseen travel circumstances.'
Les, a father-of-two and granddad-of-one, added: "I always get invited to parties because people know I will bring it alive. When its a bit flat or dull, somebody like me livens it up. Everybody should just enjoy themselves a little more."
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