AS the butt of Del Boy's gags for more than 20 years, actor John Challis is more than used to being upstaged.

So when one uncultured theatregoer let out a series of shattering burps during his performance, the former Only Fools and Horses star soldiered on regardless.

But a disgusted member of the audience complained to the management as the burps grew longer and louder.

Challis - better known to millions as Boycie - was appearing in Neil Simon's London Suite at the Civic Theatre, Darlington.

The burps began to erupt from a man in one of the boxes minutes into the first of four comic playlets. One audience member said: "It seemed he was trying to belch as loud as he could and kept doing it.

"The others in the box, three women and another young man, obviously thought this was highly amusing because it was accompanied by giggles.

"Someone got up to complain and the next thing we knew the group was thrown out."

It is understood that bottles of alcohol were found in the box after the group left.

Mr Challis was unavailable for comment, but a theatre spokeswoman confirmed that an incident had taken place on Monday. She said a group of people were spoken to but insisted they left of their own accord.