After showing up on stage at London’s O2 arena nearly two hours after he was billed to appear on Monday night, Justin Bieber could be in line for a fine for breaking a noise curfew.
But while such a fine would be small change for the star, the reaction from parents and fans to his late arrival was scathing, ranging from booing inside the venue to a deluge of criticism on Twitter.
“Daughter and Nieces at O2 to see Justin Bieber Still not on stage at 10.20 on a school night That’s just taking the [expletive]!” tweeted one apparently unhappy father.
Wendi Peters, the former Coronation Street actor, also joined in, tweeting that Bieber had finally come on stage at the “ridiculous time” of 10.24 nearly two hours after his advertised time of 8.30.
“I shall have an extremely moody daughter tomorrow .. Livid !!” she added.
Other Twitter users turned their fire on Bieber’s own Twitter account, which has more than 35 million followers. One warned him: “@Justinbieber you underestimate the power of a room full of expletive English women #wewantbieber #justinbieberattheo2”
Prices for tickets for the sold-out concerts started at 57.65 while the doors had opened at 6.30pm at the O2, whose own account eventually tweeted: “Justin Bieber is now on stage and apologises for the lateness of his show.”
