X Factor Lucy escapes unhurt as brawl breaks out at her gig
DERBYSHIRE X-Factor star Lucy Spraggan managed to escape being harmed when a “brawl” broke out at one of her gigs.
The 2012 TV show contestant, who went to school in Buxton and university in Derby, posted an emotional message to Instagram after the violence, telling how she managed to escape a woman who allegedly tried to attack her.
The woman’s anger caused what the singer described as a “venue-wide fight” to erupt during her acoustic performance in Dover, Kent.
Fans were left baffled by the events, as they questioned how a solo set of acoustic music could have gone so wrong.
At least two men were arrested in the aftermath.
She said the ordeal of the violence at the gig left her in tears for a day and on the brink of cancelling the rest of her tour. She was performing at Dover’s Booking Hall on Saturday evening when the chaos started.
On Instagram, she said on Monday: “I spent all of yesterday crying because today I was going to announce that the rest of the tour was cancelled.
“As some of you may have read or seen, during the show in Dover, a woman who had been asked to be quiet on multiple occasions, had attempted to attack me during my set, which resulted in a venue-wide fight.
“A member of security had his hand bitten, venue staff were attacked. There were young children and other vulnerable people in the crowd.
“As an artist, and as a human being, I do not EVER want to be in a position where my fans, touring crew and venue staff are uncomfortable.”
She also said that during her recent tour she has noticed “high levels of unrest”, including homophobia.
She added: “The promoter has arranged for venues to have extra security, and we will be running at absolutely zero tolerance. The set is an hour long. If you are coming to this acoustic show to get wasted, talk, or fight then please do not come.
“Thank you to the audience in Southampton on Sunday night for being exemplary and influencing the last-minute change in decision.
“I want to give you all the BEST experience I can, and this tour, I have found it quite hard because of a small few.
“I was due back in Brighton (December 7), I have everything crossed for smooth and respectful shows that are a joy to play and to attend.”
Kent Police said: “We were called to a disturbance at a business premises in Elizabeth Street, Dover, on Saturday December 4 at around 9.50pm.
“Officers attended, where they located a group of people gathered outside the building.
“Two men, aged 30 and 57, were arrested on suspicion of affray. Both men have since been released from custody pending further investigation.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident and who has not yet spoken to police should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting the reference number 46/251410/21.
Fans who witnessed what happened, or saw Lucy’s emotional post, also took to social media to say how they confused and disappointed they were with those involved in the fight in Dover.
Wendy Atkins said: “We’re still struggling to understand how something so lovely went so badly wrong.
“People acted in such a strange and disturbing way. I’m totally baffled.”
Sophie Harris said: “As a mum to three LGBTQ+ kids, it horrifies me that people in the 21st century are STILL behaving like this.”
Sophie Howard-King said: “I can’t believe people think that behaviour is acceptable
“In Norwich, some people were drunk, shouting obscene things and pushing people around. It made me angry that people thought that was OK.”