Controversial comedian Bernard Manning received a standing ovation when he returned to Bradford to perform at a charity night - despite earlier calls for him to stay out of town.

And the organiser of the show at the Drop Kick pub at Low Moor, where he played to a packed audience, said he had proved his critics wrong and branded councillors as "killjoys."

"Bernard is a great guy, he's an entertainer and a professional," said Bob Brogden.

The 68-year-old comedian, notorious for his sexist and racist jokes, delivered his routine in his usual style, littered with swear words.

And his gags targeted everyone from the Irish, vicars, Bill Clinton and pensioners.

One of them was: Did you hear about the Irish man who reversed the wrong way into his space at a car boot sale? He sold the engine.

He delivered gag after gag as he swaggered round the stage, sucking on a cigarette and clutching a pint of orange juice - and the audience loved every minute.

At the end of his act he was swamped by people wanting to shake his hand.

Councillors and anti-racist campaigners had urged people to boycott the hour-long show which they said would be in "bad taste".

The comic failed to arrive at his last gig in the city after hundreds of protesters pelted eggs at the club where he was due to appear.

But organisers of last night's event said the only offensive thing had been the reaction of councillors.

Mr Brogden, whose wife Jean is licensee at the Drop Kick, said:"He's given us his time free of charge to help raise money for a children's Christmas party and all he gets in return is criticism.

"It's been a trouble-free night and the audience really enjoyed it. I don't think anybody found it offensive.

"The only thing that offends me is the killjoys who criticise him without actually coming to see for themselves."

One Asian member of the audience, who did not want to be named, said: "I didn't find him offensive and just see it as a bit of fun.''

The watchdog Broadcasting Standards Commission today joined the ranks of Bernard Manning's critics.

The BSC, which monitors standards of taste and decency on television, slated the comedian for making racist comments on an edition of BBC1's Mrs Merton Show earlier this year.

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