A bottle brawl in a Chase Side restaurant kicked off just as an Elton John look-a-like stepped onto the stage.

The man, sporting a rubber mask of the singer, was about to join George Michael tribute act Rob Lamberti in the spotlight at Enzo's Ristorante, in Chase Side, when the audience started bottling each other.

Dozens of women, comprising 90 per cent of the audience, clustered around Mr Lamberti for support while the fight escalated on July 2, 2010. Police were called at around 11.50pm and arrested two men aged 20 and 27 for affray, and one man aged 47 for affray and grievous bodily harm. They have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Two people, including owner Enzo Taglialavore, were taken to hospital by ambulance after suffering minor injuries.
Mr Lamberti, 37, from North Lincolnshire, said: "I saw a scuffle by the bar and Enzo waved at me to stop and turn the music off. I thought at first it was the council saying the music was too loud. Then I think a table got overturned and a pot plant fell over, spilling lots of water everywhere. I think some guy had been touching a man's wife's bra strap and he got upset. Then suddenly everyone seemed to panic and started throwing themselves at each other. Someone got bottled and there was blood everywhere. All the women got frightened and ran to my side of the restaurant - but I guess there's nothing wrong with a lot of women huddling around you."

Mr Lamberti usually shares the stage with actor and DJ Paul Cullinan, who resembles Elton John - and who used to play Bungle in Rainbow in the late 1980s - but when he is not available, he asks a staff member to wear a mask. The man is then asked to step on stage and take a bow with the Wham! star - but just as he came forward on July 2, 2010, the audience turned on each other.

Mr Lamberti said: "I had just said 'ladies and gentleman, please welcome Elton John to the stage' when it all kicked off. I suppose you could say Elton caused the fight." He added: "I felt really sorry for Enzo as he puts so much work into that restaurant. It was a massive disappointment as it had been a great atmosphere until that point. It is scary how society is going. You can't go out and have a good time these days."

Police are investigating the incident.

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