Morrissey fan accused of punching singer after jumping on stage says 'it looked bad but I just wanted to hug him'

A Morrissey fan who was accused of punching the singer when he ran on stage to hug him has apologised for the furore the incident caused.

Carlos Rodriguez, 40, said he felt like he had “an out of body experience” as the songwriter performed and only embraced the star before security dragged him off the stage.

The incident happened on Saturday, November 10, at the Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego, with the stage invasion causing 59-year-old Morrissey to be taken off stage midway through a rendition of “Every Day is Like Sunday”.

Peter Katsis, Morrissey's manager, played down the issue as well stating “nobody tried to punch M last night”, after some reports speculated it was an attack.

Explaining the incident to the Standard, father-of-three Mr Rodriguez said: “There was a woman in front of me in the pit that wanted to get on stage and she eventually took her shot and security whisked her away. Once I saw security turn his back I just jumped and went for it. I didnt think. I just went for it.

“It was like an out of body experience. Every Moz fan's dream is to not only grab a hold of his hand but be able to get on stage and hug the Master Poet! I achieved my dream.

“The videos in question are from different angles but, based solely on watching them, I admit they look bad.”

However, despite the footage’s appearance, Mr Rodriguez insists there was no attempt to hurt his idol.

“I felt horrible,” the Californian, who also said he feared for his safety due to backlash, said.

“To think that I would be the one looked at that attacked Morrissey would kill me. I have followed this man’s music since I was 17. I am 40 now so I am not just your typical fan.”

In a detailed statement provided to the Standard, Mr Rodriguez apologised to Morrissey for the negative attention it brought upon him, as well as to the fans inconvenienced by the concert’s abrupt ending.

“It was not my intention nor any of the ‘stage invaders’ to have the show stopped,” he said. “Moz was having a great show. His vocals were amazing and the set list was on point. It was a magical night for everyone.”

Mr Rodriguez, a cable splicer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said he accepted “partial responsibility” but felt he became the “poster boy for the show cancellation”.

He expressed his opinion that his action was not particularly out of the ordinary, with Morrissey fans often trying to get on stage with him.

“Most shows those who make it get their five sec hug and escorted back to their spot and the show goes on,” Mr Rodriguez said.

“But unfortunately this event ended differently. My actions as well as those of others with me have tarnished what would have been a perfect evening. Yes it was the encore but I know every fan wants to enjoy all we can. So for that I am deeply sorry.”

Lastly, he expressed his regret for putting security “in that predicament” and said they dealt with it as best they could in the circumstances.

After the incident, footage emerged which showed one woman climb on to the stage followed by at least four other fans.

Morrissey and the band were ushered away while one fan, which Mr Rodriguez said was him, was dragged away.

Mr Rodriguez criticised the way it was interpreted and decided to speak so as to clarify his side of the story.

In the aftermath, his manage released a statement which said: “Morrissey's fans are not malicious. The fans were simply doing what they have been doing for almost 30 years.

"Trying anything they could do to jump onstage and touch him, or hug him. The fan in question was certainly more aggressive in reaching out for him than most, so security had to do their job and subdue the fan. That's all it was. In the end no one was hurt, and no one was arrested.”