Alan Davies fills 'half a theatre' in Liverpool following Hillsborough apology

Impressive return: Alan Davies (Rex Features)

"Thank you for filling at least half of this wonderful theatre," Alan Davies told the audience at his first gig in Liverpool since making controversial remarks about Hillsborough.

The comedian received a warm reception at the Liverpool Empire despite publicly criticising Liverpool FC’s decision not to play on the tragedy’s anniversary.

He claims to have received death threats following remarks made in April on Twitter, calling it “ridiculous” that Liverpool FC should not want to play to mark the Hillsborough tragedy.

In April 1989 ninety-six Liverpool fans were killed in a crush during the FA cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forrest at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.

Last week Davies apologised in a television interview for any distress his Hillsborough comment may have caused.

He told the Liverpool crowd that he had considered calling the show off following the furore, joking: "It's been an ambition of mine to play here and I've just about scraped enough people together to make it worthwhile.”

"I can't thank you enough. It's much appreciated. I mean that,” he said, according to a BBC report. "I'm generally a very sincere person. It gets me into a lot of trouble."

The QI star and Jonathan Creek actor has just started his first tour as a stand-up comedian for 12 years. It is called Life is Pain.