Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley has said the entertainment sector desperately needs to reopen to help lift spirits after the trauma of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The dancer stressed it was imperative that music, arts, dance and cultural events be allowed to resume before live audiences with all necessary Covid-19 protocols and safety measures observed.

His comments came as Broadway in New York signalled the return of live shows – with US theatre-goers being asked to show proof of vaccination to secure admission.

The West End in London – the hub of the European theatre industry – is also expected to follow suit, while Ireland will stage trial live events as part of its Covid-19 recovery programme.

Mr Flatley said entertainment, along with hospitality and tourism, were the hardest-hit sectors by the pandemic.

Thanks to remote broadcasts, he said, they helped humanity cope with the greatest health challenge in over a century.

“I think the general public need this. They need the entertainment industry to lift their spirits and put a smile back on their faces,” he said.

“I am hoping to make an announcement within the next 30 days or so. It is tough.

“It has been far too long – this has dragged on way too long. We have to find some way to get those theatres working again.

“We need to give people a little entertainment. People are desperate to go and see a show. We are all desperate to go and put on those shows.

“So please let us go and do that with whatever necessary precautions are required.

“My dancers have had more than a year of their lives stolen from them in their prime.

“It breaks my heart to see so many talented young people not being able to perform when they are at their peak.

“We have got to be able to get them back to work.”

He said promoters have had a “very tough time” and many have had to close.

“Somehow, between all of us, we have to get the entertainment business back,” Mr Flatley added.