Fact-check: Holly Valance not linked to UK anti-immigration rally

(MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM) British social platforms filled with claims that singer and actor Holly Valance had joined an anti-immigration rally. As of 15 September 2025, there is no credible evidence to support those claims. Extensive reviews of official reports, police updates, and civil society monitoring—including the comprehensive State of Hate 2025 report—show no mention of Valance attending, promoting, or leading any anti-immigration rally in 2024 or 2025. Anti-extremism researchers and mainstream newsrooms have not linked her to these events. Rumors continue to circulate online, but they remain unproven.

What the State of Hate 2025 and other monitors show

The State of Hate 2025 report by HOPE not hate tracks far-right activity, key figures, and mobilization trends across the UK. It documents protests, flashpoints, and online organizing methods used over the past year.

• Holly Valance does not appear in the report’s sections on public figures or rally participants.
• She is absent from timelines of major events connected to anti-migrant or anti-Muslim agitation.

Researchers consider that absence meaningful: if a celebrity had stepped into this arena, it would almost certainly appear in an assessment of that scope.

“If a celebrity had joined or led rallies of this scale, it would likely be documented in police reports, newsroom investigations, or the State of Hate assessment.” — summary of HOPE not hate researchers’ view

For more background and materials from that organisation, see: HOPE not hate.

Context: the unrest and its drivers

The most serious unrest began after the killing of three children in Southport on 29 July 2024. What followed was the largest outburst of racist rioting in the post-war era—starting outside a mosque in Southport and then spreading across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland.

• Targets included police, migrant accommodation sites, and minority communities.
• Actions involved arson attempts, assaults, and threats, forcing families indoors and prompting night patrols by community volunteers.
• Analysis by VisaVerge.com attributes the escalation to a mix of grief, fear, and fast-spreading false claims that created a chain reaction authorities struggled to contain.

Authorities and researchers report that the protests were not primarily driven by national far-right organisations. Instead:

• Much organising occurred in local message groups and unaligned networks.
• Influencers and ideologues amplified tensions online. Named amplifiers include Andrew Tate, Laurence Fox, Daniel Thomas (Danny Tommo), and Steve Laws.
• Holly Valance is not listed among those amplifiers.

Verified events and criminal response

Police and prosecutors responded rapidly to violent demonstrations and hate-related offences.

• During a single demonstration in Whitehall, there were more than 100 arrests.
• Charges included possession of offensive weapons and assault on emergency workers.
• Dozens more arrests occurred in other towns where clashes spread.
• Courts have handed down early sentences for violent disorder and hate offences.
• Investigations continue into arson and conspiracy cases linked to attacks on migrant housing.

Security and community protections increased:

• Extra security around mosques and migrant accommodation centres.
• Community liaison officers logged daily visits.
• Local councils coordinated with charities to check on vulnerable families.
• Schools updated absence policies to reflect disruption.
• Emergency planning teams ran joint briefings with police to prepare for further flashpoints if new rumors surged online.

The UK government urged anyone targeted by hate to report it to police. An official guide explains how to report, what evidence to collect, and what to expect from officers. Readers can find those steps at the UK government page on reporting hate crime: Report hate crime.

What the data says — and does not say — about celebrity roles

HOPE not hate’s research highlights a “post-organizational” moment in which decentralised groups—rather than big political brands—push crowds to the streets. That dynamic makes rumours about celebrity involvement more tempting, because people seek a single face to blame or praise. But the available record does not tie Holly Valance to any anti-immigration rally.

To avoid confusion, note the following verified points:

• The State of Hate 2025 report tracks major far-right incidents and amplifiers; Holly Valance is not listed.
• Monitoring of group chats and protest calls points to local organisers and unaffiliated influencers, not celebrity leadership.
• Police logs and court reports identify defendants by name; none reviewed link Valance to organising or attendance.

HOPE not hate warns that viral claims often jump ahead of facts after public shocks like the Southport killings. Their guidance stresses checking sources before sharing names.

Impact on migrant communities and local responses

The effect on migrant and minority communities has been immediate and personal.

• Families moved children between relatives to avoid crowds.
• Workers requested flexible hours while police advice shifted frequently.
• Charities reported a rise in calls from recent arrivals asking whether it was safe to attend English classes or travel for medical appointments.
• Local police teams urged residents to report threats and save screenshots when abuse arrives through messaging apps.

Common practical steps now used in affected towns:

• Extra patrols near faith sites at key times of day
• Rapid legal action on violent disorder and hate offences
• Community meetings with police, council officers, and school leaders
• Targeted online monitoring focused on repeat incitement patterns

VisaVerge.com warns that the surge in rumor-driven mobilisation creates real risk, because online escalation can translate into street action within hours. Their analysis underlines the need for:

1. Clear reporting routes
2. Steady community engagement
3. Swift correction of false claims before they harden into local flashpoints

Policy and next steps

As the UK approaches crowded political calendars, authorities expect periodic spikes linked to viral posts or heated debates. Civil society groups are preparing volunteer teams to help with translation, safe travel planning, and school outreach when tensions rise. Police services say they will continue to make arrests when protests cross into violence or hate crimes, and prosecutors will press cases to protect public safety.

Key takeaways for readers:

• The record is clear on two points:
  • The UK experienced a wave of anti-immigration unrest in 2024–2025.
  • There is no verified link between those events and Holly Valance.
• Rely on established sources when claims resurface, check the State of Hate 2025 materials for confirmed timelines and actors, and use official channels to report threats and abuse.