AN ANNUAL charity Halloween Ball featuring Fatboy Slim has been cancelled after a disappointing response.

The Martlets’ Twisted Twenties Halloween Bash was set to take place on Saturday.

But the Hove-based hospice has cancelled because it did not sell enough £60 tickets and cannot afford to proceed.

Hove DJ Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, was set to perform at the virtual party, which was to raise money to fund and support Martlets’ life-changing hospice care.

Comedian Zoe Lyons, along with Brighton-based funny woman Angela Barnes, were to host the evening’s proceedings.

The Argus: Fatboy Slim is an ambassador for Martlets.Fatboy Slim is an ambassador for Martlets.

Emma Knight of Martlets said: “This has been a tough decision, especially given how outstanding the event was looking, and how much support we had from some key people, but it’s the right decision at this time.

“All those who purchased a ticket will receive a full refund.”

“We needed to sell a minimum of 150 to make the event viable, from a capacity of 1,000.

“We were only ten per cent towards this number at the time we made the difficult decision to press pause.

“All those who committed to support and sponsor the event have been fully behind our decision and are excited to work with us in other ways so that we can ensure life-changing hospice care for our vibrant city and wider community.”

The charity is now looking at other ways to raise much-needed funds to continue supporting terminally ill people in Brighton and Hove.

Ms Knight said: “We’re always really excited to put together events and activities that bring our community together, not least as we all continue to navigate these challenging times.

“So we’ll take stock and I hope we can all come together in other ways in the near future.”

Last year Fatboy Slim entertained crowds at The Grand hotel in Brighton and helped to raise £70,000 for the hospice.

A spokeswoman said: “Last year’s Halloween Ball raised an incredible amount and as our ambassador, Norman Cook was still wanting to help us – although all realising that we couldn’t hold our usual event, he offered to do a virtual one instead.”

Fatboy has said he is “honoured” to be an official ambassador for Martlets.

He said: “I’ve known about Martlets for some time, having had a family member need their care.

“So I know first-hand that what Martlets does for people and their families is, indeed, life-changing.”

To offer support or make a donation visit www.martlets.org.uk