A man has appeared in court after Katie Hopkins’ stand-up show in the New Forest was cancelled last year.

Oliver Hutchings, 30, faces two charges of blackmail after two venues pulled the former columnist turned media personality from their line-up.

Hutchings is accused of blackmailing staff at The Attic in Totton and at the Joe Longthorne Theatre, in Blackpool, in February and March of 2023 in an attempt to get Hopkins' shows cancelled.

In both cases he is accused of making "an unwarranted demand to members of staff... to cancel the upcoming performance".

The Totton offence spans February 25 to 27, while the Blackpool offence dates to March 28.

Hutchings, of Denzil Avenue, Southampton, is yet to enter any pleas and the case has been sent to Southampton Crown Court.

Magistrates released Hutchings on bail following the brief hearing where he spoke only to confirm his name and personal details.

He will appear at crown court to face the charges on January 2.