Fat Pizza star Paul Fenech was glassed during a live comedy show in regional Queensland on Australia Day.
The comedian, 53, pushed on with his scheduled performances, but later required 20 stitches in his hand.
The comedian was performing at the Spotted Cow pub in Toowoomba when an audience member allegedly took offence to a joke and hurled a glass at the stage.
Paul told Daily Mail the confrontation erupted after he roasted a woman in the crowd, something he says is standard at his shows.
‘Was at The Spotted Cow pub in Toowoomba making a few jokes about one of the females in the audience looking underage (which I do every show) and her boyfriend, now ex, took offence,’ he explained.
‘I apparently alleged he went out with a 15-year-old when he was 18 … so it was a touchy subject.’
Fat Pizza star Paul Fenech was glassed during a live comedy show in regional Queenslandon Australia Day
The comedian was performing at the Spotted Cow pub in Toowoomba when an audience member allegedly took offence to a joke and hurled a glass at the stage
Paul explained that the man threw a glass up at him.
‘Luckily my boxing reflexes saved my face I used the microphone to block it, but it shattered into a million pieces including a bunch of glass into my knuckle so I’ve got some glass in there and about 20 stitches,’ Paul said.
He was instructed to go to Toowoomba hospital for treatment, but the TV star said ‘no chance he’s ruining my Australia Day!’
‘I have a show in 15 minutes at Sopo on the Gold Coast, and I didn’t want to let anyone down so I’m injured, but ready to have a great Australia Day .. nobody f**ks with my Australia Day,’ he laughed.
Paul went on to reveal the incident escalated further after the glassing and claimed chairs were thrown as the alleged attacker fled the venue.
‘I threw a chair at him, and he threw one back then he took off .. I really wanted to kick the hell out of him, but it’s not a good look at a comedy show,’ he said.
Paul suggested alcohol may have played a role.
‘Also everyone gets roasted at my shows so maybe the guy was off his head,’ he said.
Paul told Daily Mail the confrontation erupted after he roasted a woman in the crowd, something he says is standard at his shows
The comedian, 53, pushed on with his scheduled performances, but later required 20 stitches in his hand
Photos shared by the comedian showed his injured hand bandaged following treatment, with glass reportedly still lodged in his knuckle.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from fans, with many praising Paul for continuing to perform despite his injuries and condemning the alleged behaviour of the audience member.
Queensland Police have not yet confirmed whether a formal complaint has been lodged.
Paul last made headlines in 2024 when he voiced his dismay and hurt over Rebel Wilson’s recent allegations against his hit Australian SBS comedy series.
Wilson accused the show of making her the target of ‘fatphobic’ jokes and criticised the working environment she was part of early in her career.
Paul expressed his disappointment with Wilson’s portrayal of her time on the SBS show, categorising her comments as ungrateful.
‘Rebel was happy building a career playing the big girl in Hollywood, now she’s saying we did her wrong? We gave her a start, took her around the world, gave her stage training and TV and feature film opportunities. How ungrateful,’ he told Daily Mail, openly challenging Wilson’s narrative.
Paul, who has long been recognised for giving newcomers their break in the industry, took particular offense to Wilson’s remarks, suggesting they were aimed at boosting book sales rather than reflecting the reality of her experience.
