Drag Race UK stars evacuated from London’s Heaven nightclub after fake bomb planted
"Whoever made that call is nothing but a sick individual," says G-A-Y's Jeremy Joseph
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Instagram/TheVivienne
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars The Vivienne, Veronica Green and Tia Kofi were caught up in a bomb scare at London’s Heaven nightclub yesterday (Monday 3 May 2021).
The girls, plus fellow queen Shania Pain, were rehearsing for their upcoming West End show Drag Queens of Pop when the incident occurred at the iconic LGBTQ venue at around 3pm.
Police were called after a fake bomb was planted at the premises, known for club nights like G-A-Y, with specialist officers rushing to the scene. Nearby Charing Cross station was also briefly evacuated.
“An investigation is underway to identify the person or persons responsible,” the Met Police said in a statement.
“The most dramatic rehearsal EVER”
Drag Race UK SE1 winner The Vivienne said in an Instagram post: “A very dramatic rehearsal today for Drag Queens of Pop. Half way [sic] through a song when the police entered, informing us there was a bomb scare in the venue and we must evacuate 4 whole streets were also evacuated around us.”
The star added: “To the SICK person who made the call to the police, thanks for ruining our rehearsal day for which people travelled down for Just out of lockdown and now this. Thank you to police! You were AMAZING!”
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Detailing the incident on Facebook, G-A-Y boss Jeremy Joseph said: “That was the most dramatic rehearsal EVER. Drag Queens Of Pop, Not a musical, A Soap Opera [sic].
“The Vivienne, Tia Kofi, Veronica Green & Shania Pain. All on stage performing… sorry no spoiler alert Then police enter Heaven Nightclub London.
“There had been a bomb threat & everyone was evacuated, accept poor me, as we waited for police dogs to arrive, as the venue has been in lockdown apart from rehearsals, i had to walk round with the police & sniffer dogs to check the venue, in the meantime Charing Cross station, Villier Street & Craven Street, all evacuated.
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“I’m not going to lie, it was frightening, but I cant praise the police dog team enough, they were amazing, they have to enter a building, not knowing if a threat is real or a hoax. Whoever made that call is nothing but a sick individual, but the police took every precaution before re-opening the streets & I cant thank them enough.
“I cant promise that Drag Queens Of Pop at Nimax Theatres Vaudeville will be this dramatic, but it is going to be an amazing show, Mon 17th May has Sold Out.”
For more information about the show and for tickets, click here.
“An intentional hoax”
When contacted by Attitude, the Metropolitan Police provided the following statement: “Police were called at 15:12hrs on Monday, 3 May after a suspicious item was discovered at a commercial premises in Villiers Street, WC2.
“The premises was closed to the public at the time [sic].
“A safety cordon was put in place in surrounding streets as a precaution and Charing Cross Railway Station, which is directly adjacent to Villiers Street, was evacuated for a short time.
“Specialist officers attended and examined the item which was subsequently confirmed as non-suspicious. The cordons were lifted shortly before 17:30hrs.
“The circumstances in which the item was found suggest that it was part of an intentional hoax and an investigation is underway to identify the person or persons responsible.
“There is no indication, at this early stage, of a particular motive but that will form one of the key lines of enquiry for officers as their investigation continues.
“Anyone with information about this incident, who has not already spoken to the police, should call 101 providing the reference CAD3901/03MAY.
“Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.”
Attitude has approached The Vivienne, Heaven nightclub and Jeremy Joseph for comment.