Angry seagull forces pianist to cancel concert

One of the leading pianists in the UK has been forced to pull out of a concert after being accosted by an irate seagull, it has been reported.

Paul Lewis, 43, was walking to rehearsals when the animal descended upon him and caused him to fall and sprain a finger.

The incident caused him to miss performances with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

He had been due to play works by Mozart and Schumann on June 15th.

Speaking about the bizarre event, Mr Lewis said: "I got out of my car and it was only ten yards or so to the rehearsal venue. This seagull just swooped down at me from behind. I wasn't aware of it until it touched the top of my head. It certainly wasn't light.

"I instinctively ducked and ran and lost my balance. I put my hand out as I fell and sprained it. It was pretty bizarre. I suspect it was nesting and there were babies it was ­trying to protect."

Mr Lewis was replaced by Finghin Collins who has flown in from Dublin to perform works.

In a statement, originally made to the Liverpool Echo, Jayne Garrity, Liverpool Philharmonic’s head of communications, confirmed: “Unfortunately, Paul Lewis has had to withdraw from his concerts this week with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

“On leaving rehearsals with the orchestra on Monday at Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary, Paul sustained an injury, spraining a finger on his right hand, after a seagull which had been nesting close by, swooped close to his head, causing him to stumble. We are pleased to say that Paul is expected to make a full recovery."