Photo: Press/Red5.co.uk
A number of major music venues are to ban the use of selfie sticks at gigs to the relief of anyone not wanting to be smacked on the head by anyone's Christmas present.
The London O2, SSE Wembley Arena and the O2 Academy Brixton all made an announcement this week banning the use of "selfie sticks" at their facilities.
Popularity of the item rose tremendously over the Christmas period with thousands of selfie sticks received as stocking essentials but their sheer annoyance factor/safety risk cannot be denied.
A spokesman for the O2 Arena warned gig-goers to leave the metallic sticks safe at home telling NME: "The O2 do not allow selfie sticks into the arena due to safety considerations. We welcome selfies, but please leave the stick at home."
While a spokesperson for the Wembley SSE Arena said: "Selfies are a big part of the gig experience. The sticks might mean you are refused entry to the venue so our advice is don’t bring them and stick with the tried and tested use of an arm."
If you've ever been at a gig and been forced to stand back while someone whipped out their trusty metallic cudgel you will no doubt be heartened by this news.
The sticks will also be banned at Tottenham Hotspurs' White Hart Lane and Arsenal's Emirates stadium.
