Colin Sutton, Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner and a former Metropolitan Police detective, withdrew from a proposed 127‑date UK theatre tour after growing political and public criticism. Sutton, who won a recent by‑election for the PCC role and earns £79,000 a year, called the planned schedule 'ridiculous' and agreed to help promoters find a replacement. The controversy has renewed debate over whether elected policing officials should take on large commercial projects while in office.
Norfolk PCC Colin Sutton Pulls Out Of Proposed 127‑Date Theatre Tour After Political Backlash
Colin Sutton has performed in theatres across the UK [Facebook]
Colin Sutton, Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, has withdrawn from a planned 127‑date UK theatre tour after sustained public and political criticism about whether the schedule would conflict with his public duties. Sutton, who earns £79,000 a year as PCC, described the scale of the proposed run as 'ridiculous' and said he would help promoters find a suitable replacement.
Martin Clunes played Sutton in two series on ITV [EPA]
Why Sutton Attracts Audiences
Unlike many PCCs—fewer than 20% of voters can name theirs—Sutton is a high‑profile former detective. Born in 1960, he joined the Metropolitan Police in the early 1980s and rose through the ranks, returning to the Met as a Detective Chief Inspector. He led the 2004 investigation that caught serial killer Levi Bellfield and later oversaw the final stages of the long inquiry into the Night Stalker rapist, Delroy Grant. Sutton retired in 2011 and built a media career as an author and broadcaster.
Sutton initially said that carrying out the tour would not "impinge" on his ability to be police commissioner [BBC]
Books, TV And Live Shows
In 2019 Sutton published Manhunt, an account of the Bellfield investigation; it was adapted into a three‑part ITV drama starring Martin Clunes as Sutton. A follow‑up book and TV adaptation appeared in 2021. Sutton then began appearing in documentaries and live events. His live show, 'Makings of a Murderer', toured in 2024–25 to more than 100 venues, prompting promoters Entertainers to plan a 127‑date sequel for 2027.
Former commissioner Sarah Taylor said she resigned because a close family member had been diagnosed with a life-changing condition [Paul Moseley/BBC]
Political Fallout
The PCC post in Norfolk became vacant in June when Sarah Taylor resigned abruptly after a close family member was diagnosed with a life‑changing condition. Although the government has indicated plans to abolish PCC offices within two years, a by‑election was held and Sutton comfortably won the role and its £79,000 salary.
News of the 11‑month tour — teased with a short YouTube clip of Sutton saying 'I'm back' — prompted immediate criticism from political rivals and members of the public. Liberal Democrat candidate Steff Aquarone and others questioned whether a lengthy national tour was compatible with the responsibilities of an elected policing overseer. Sutton initially insisted the shows would not 'impinge' on his duties but later agreed the planned scale was untenable and withdrew.
Next Steps And Wider Questions
Sutton said the tour will go ahead with Entertainers but that he will not appear and that he will help find a substitute. The episode has reignited debate about the boundaries between public office and commercial media work. Observers and critics are asking whether elected policing officials should undertake extensive paid engagements that could, practically or reputationally, conflict with their public roles.
Key Facts: Sutton is a former high‑profile Met detective known for leading the Levi Bellfield investigation, an author whose work was dramatised by ITV, and a recent PCC who withdrew from a planned 127‑date tour amid backlash.
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