Who is Lee Nelson? The P45 prankster who gatecrashed Theresa May's conference speech
The PM is not the first notable figure to have fallen victim to the comedian's pranks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Simon Brodkin - the notorious prankster more commonly known by his stage name Lee Nelson and alter-ego Jason Bent - has struck again, this time handing Theresa May a fake P45 during the Prime Minster's conference speech.
The comedian, who had been sitting on the front row, later tweeted that the P45 was handed out on behalf of Boris Johnson. Following the incident, he was escorted out by security.
May is by no means the first person to have fallen victim to Brodkin's pranks with the comedian's past targets including Donald Trump, Simon Cowell and former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Below, we run down six of the most memorable.FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Below, we run down six of the most memorable.
November 2014
The X Factor
Stereo Kicks were supposedly going to be the next One Direction, but unfortunately were soon forgotten after The X Factor finished. Still, their performance of “You Are Not Alone” has been remembered over the years, primarily because Lee stormed the stage, leaving the young members of the group baffled and the judges on their feet, shouting at the comedian to get off. The show’s floor manager was soon there to take him away.
June 2015
Kanye West's Glastonbury headline set
Midway through Kanye West’s headline performance at Glastonbury Festival, the stage was invaded by none other than Lee Nelson. Wearing a ‘LEE-ZUS’ shirt — a play on Kanye’s YEEZUS album title — Lee walked to the front of the stage during the song “Black Skinhead”. The prankster was soon tackled to the ground and Kanye restarted the song.
July 2015
Sepp Blatter's FIFA press conference
Brodkin gatecrashed a FIFA conference in Switzerland following the corruption scandal which rocked the FIFA conference in Switzerland following the corruption scandal which rocked the organisation in July 2015. He walked on stage, parading as Jason Bent, and threw a wad of dollar bills over then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisting it was part of a bid from North Korea to host the 2026 World Cup. Brodkin was later arrested and charged with trespassing.
January 2016
Britain's Got Talent
Brodkin's most elaborate prank came when he attended the Britain's Got Talent open auditions in London. Disguising himself as rapping Jewish rabbi Steven Goldblatt, producers put him through to the main auditions in front of judges, including Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, despite being intentionally terrible. After ten hours of waiting, he was put through by Cowell and co after providing a false backstory about his 'dead' mother. It wasn't until after the event that the producers realised he was Lee Nelson.
March 2016
Volkswagen launch
Volkswagen was putting on a huge show, launching a new model. Lee decided to dress up as a mechanic and storm the stage in Switzerland to protest the company’s emissions scandal. “Excuse me, I have the new cheat box. No ones going to find out about this one, I’m just going to fit it now.” The incident was followed by Channel 4.
June 2016
Donald Trump's golf resort re-opening
Theresa May isn't the only world leader to have fallen victim to Nelson's pranks - Donald Trump encountered the comedian back in June 2016 at the re-opening of his golf resort in Scotland, handing out golf balls emblazoned with swastikas to the crowd as the then-presidential candidate took the podium for a speech.
Follow Independent Culture on Facebook
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments