RU PAUL’S UK Drag Race star Pixie Polite has been “punched in the head” in a “homophobic assault” at a Tesco in London.
Cops have launched an urgent probe after Pixie, whose real name is Mark Wickens, was reportedly assaulted by a man inside the store on Monday night.
Instagram / Pixie PoliteRuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite was reportedly assaulted at a Tesco store in London[/caption]
Cops are treating the incident as a ‘hate crime’
Mark Wickens, known on-stage as Pixie Polite, told fans about the alleged assault on Instagram
Pixie, who came fifth in the fourth season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, claimed she was punched in the head and neck after being verbally abused.
Posting about the assault on Instagram, the 32-year-old said the incident “evolved from general comments and mocking, into verbal homophobic abuse, then into violence”.
She added: “When they catch the guy it will be prosecuted as there’s CCTV, witnesses and I also got a picture of the guy.
“Mentally fine, but heading to hospital with suspected concussion. But overall soooo fine.”
The Met Police has since launched an urgent investigation into the assault, which is being treated as a “hate crime“.
Cops have urged anyone with details about the incident to call 101 referencing CAD 5855/28JUL.
A spokesperson said: “At 6:10pm on Monday, 28 July officers responded to reports of assault and verbal abuse inside a shop on High Street Colliers Wood, Merton.
“Police spoke with one victim, a person in their 30s. An investigation has been launched and the incident is being treated as a hate crime.
“Enquiries are ongoing. At this stage no arrests have been made.
“The victim is being supported by officers. We understand the impact this will have had on the LGBTQ+ community.
“If you have any concerns please speak to a local police officer.”
No arrests have yet been made.
Posting again on Tuesday, the star told fans they were feeling “a little groggy” after the horrific incident and said they were taking the day off to “process what had happened”.
The post read: “Feeling a little groggy today, and have taken the day off to rest and process what happened.
“Overall I’m pretty much fine but I am feeling the same sense of righteous indignation I felt last night. So please enjoy this picture of me looking like a bad a**, while I daydream about justice today.”
The incident comes just months after RuPaul star James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne when in drag, tragically passed away at home.
The death was announced by publicist Simon Jones, who paid tribute to the “incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person”.
Williams won the first season of RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK, which aired in 2019.
They went on to compete in an all-winners season of the franchise in the US in 2022 – the only Brit to do so.
Williams also starred on BBC Three show The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood in 2020 and appeared on Channel 4‘s Celebrity Hunted for Stand Up To Cancer in 2022.
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