EIGHTIES music icon Michael Bolton has denied claims by staff at the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin that he forbid fans at his recent concert there from taking photos of him.

Bolton, who performed at the venue last month, said claims by the theatre that he ordered the audience not to take videos or pictures were a "blatant untruth".

In a Facebook post the singer said: "It was just brought to my attention that some of my fans in attendance at the Dublin show were told that, at my request, they could not take photos or video during my performance on Thursday.

"This news was extremely upsetting to me and I want to clarify that I always allow pics by the fans and there will never be a time when I restrict them.

"There are performances where venue management will ask audience members not to take pics, but if anyone at those venues ever represents that I personally, or anyone on my behalf, has not allowed the photography, that is a blatant untruth."

Bolton added that the Dublin show was one of the highlights of his recent tour, which saw him perform over 90 times across the world.

"The Dublin show was one of my favourites of the last 90 I've done. I loved the theatre and the audience, which was fantastic and sang to me all night.

"My position has and will always be that the fans have paid and waited to come and see me and if they want to take pics with cameras or their phones that's absolutely fine with me."

One fan, Pamela O'Connor, responded to the singer's post saying: "I had a brilliant night thanks to you – but was disappointed that I did not feel comfortable enough to take out my camera phone because of the theatre staff pinpointing people that did by shining a very bright torch at them until they put their phones or camera away."

A spokesperson for the Grand Canal Theatre declined to comment.