Ricky Gervais has shared his "frustration" after fans were turned away from his show in York last night for purchasing tickets from resale site Viagogo.

Hundreds were reportedly refused entry to the second night of Gervais's performance of his current live show, Armageddon, at the York Barbican theatre, after duplicate tickets the previous evening led to overbooking.

Lengthy queues were photographed outside the venue and disgruntled fans took to social media when it emerged that only tickets issued via official first-hand vendor Ticketmaster were being accepted.

Maxine Gordon, a reporter for The York Press newspaper, was quoted by her employer: "When me and my husband turned up at the York Barbican at 7:20pm for the 7:30pm show there were hundreds of people still queuing to get in, as well as a very long queue for the box office, again unusual.

"I thought the delay was because they were being extra thorough checking bags, but as we got nearer the entrance the bouncers and ticketing staff were shouting they were only accepting Ticketmaster tickets and not Viagogo, which are the tickets from a resale site.

"Lots of people were asked to leave. As my ticket was checked I asked what was going on and why. I was told the night before, lots of people had turned up with Viagogo tickets, but duplicates, all for the same seats, so they weren't accepting any last night."

A photo of a York Barbican leaflet explaining the refusal of entry read: "You have been refused entry to York Barbican this evening using your tickets purchased with Viagogo.

"These tickets were not eligible for resale and have therefore broken the terms of conditions agreed to upon original purchase.

"York Barbican are not affiliated with Viagogo and they are a separate company."

One fan, James Williams, posted on Twitter: "Finally home after a four hour round trip to see Ricky Gervais in York at York Barbican, only to be turned away having bought tickets through @viagogo ... Myself & 100s of others left gutted!! Why wasn't this info communicated prior to us all making the journey?!"

Gervais, who called last night's gig his "favourite" of the tour on Twitter, told angry fans that he had not been aware of the issue until after the show.

He said: "I've sent all this to the promotor [sic] at Live Nation and he is looking into it. I have no idea why this has happened tonight."

When one, Kelly49504631, commented: "So disappointed to have been refused entry to the venue. The same ticket vendor purchased from and entry allowed in London. So frustrating when making arrangements for time off work, travel and accommodation."

He responded: "The promoter, Live Nation, is investigating what happened. So frustrating, I know."

Another user, AndeeForm, reported the venue to be refusing "Basically any ticket that can not be shown via the ticket master app. Even tickets in your virtual wallet were invalid."

Comedians such as Stewart Lee and Tim Minchin have previously denounced Viagogo for artificially inflating ticket prices and ripping off fans, with the Australian comic branding them "cheating scumbags" in 2021.

A spokesperson for the company told British Comedy Guide that "any ticket purchased legitimately through the website should have been granted entry to the show" and that anyone denied entry will be provided with a full refund.

They said: "We were shocked to hear that fans were turned away from Ricky Gervais's performance at the York Barbican just because their tickets were purchased through Viagogo. As a business whose entire mission is to get people into events safely and securely, we view this kind of anti-consumer behaviour as totally unacceptable. Customers should never be used as a casualty in an attempt to control ticket sales.

"It is perfectly legal to pass on, sell or give tickets to other people. Turning people away at the door who've bought legitimate tickets just because you disagree with ticket resale is an abuse of consumer freedom. Customers should be allowed the choice and flexibility to use a resale website if they want to, and this basic right should be protected.
 
"Any Viagogo ticket holder that was denied entry to this event will be provided with a full refund in line with our guarantee, which ensures all buyers will get in the door or their money back."

BCG has also contacted York Barbican for comment.