A MUSICIAN has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after a dispute involving a proposed concert that was allegedly set to feature comedy star Michael McIntyre.

Antonio Taylor has been quizzed by police after a complaint was made against him by Diane Weekes, the owner of the Road House comedy club and blues bar in Weymouth’s King Street.

It is understood the allegation surrounds £20,000 which Miss Weekes lent to Mr Taylor on the assumption it was to cover a deposit to book comedian McIntyre.

Mr Taylor, who was also involved with the Music Mania shop in Great George Street in Weymouth, strenuously denies any wrongdoing.

Miss Weekes bought the Road House, formerly the Queens Hotel, last summer and guitarist Mr Taylor teamed up with her to help launch the business.

As well as designing the club Mr Taylor arranged a number of music and comedy events, which proved a hit with audiences.

But claims that comedians Jimmy Carr, Michael McIntyre and Frankie Boyle would be playing at the club failed to materialise.

The club was contacted by the comedians’ agents saying that they had never been booked after advertisements carrying pictures of the three acts appeared in the Dorset Echo. Further problems arose when Mr Taylor came up with a plan to organise a concert at Dorchester Town Football Club this coming May, which he hoped would feature the top stand-up comedian and television star Michael McIntyre.

The plans never materialised and Mr Taylor and Miss Weekes parted company soon after.

It was then that police were called in. Dorchester Town Football Club’s business and events manager Geoff Claridge, who met with Mr Taylor and Miss Weekes, has refused to comment.

But he confirmed the concert would not be taking place.

Former croupier Miss Weekes would not comment on the fraud allegation but said she was now ‘close to bankruptcy’. She is continuing to make a go of the club which she runs with her daughter Lauren and has some events lined up including a music night on Friday, January 15 and comedy hypnotist Miles England the following day.

Miss Weekes said she took a further knock when the club was broken into earlier this week.

Police said intruders broke in on Monday night and stole cash and alcohol.

She said: “The whole thing has put a strain on everything including the relationship with my daughter.

“I’ll keep going with the club and will try to make the best of it.”

When Mr Taylor was contacted by the Dorset Echo he denied he had been arrested or had done anything wrong and claimed he was owed money by Miss Weekes. He said he ploughed his own cash into the Road House and left because he was ‘not happy with the situation’.

Mr Taylor said he pulled out of the Michael McIntyre concert ‘because of a few issues to do with local people trying to get involved’.

Dorset Police confirmed they were investigating an allegation of fraud.

A spokesman said: “A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with fraud and released on bail while enquiries continue.”

Mr McIntyre’s spokesman was not available for comment.

Footnote: A musician arrested on suspicion of fraud in connection with a proposed concert that was allegedly set to feature comedy star Michael McIntyre has been released from bail without charge, police said.

Antonio Taylor, 25, helped to launch the Road House comedy club and blues bar in Weymouth and was said to be in talks about arranging a concert at Dorchester Town FC Club.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “The police investigation has been concluded and the 25-year-old man who was arrested has been released from his police bail without charge.”