Hamilton star Giles Terea in dispute over central London bar after being ‘refused entry’ amid racist claims

Hamilton star Giles Terea has accused a bar in central London of ‘racial profiling’ after he and a group of actors were allegedly refused entry because they were black.

Giles said he had taken a group of eight fellow black actors, who he is directing in a play about American blues musicians, to the Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues bar in Soho, when he claims that they were denied entry, with the bar still allowing a group of white people to pass through.

However, the bar has denied that this incident happened, claiming that ‘no one was refused entry’ and that some of the members of the party did not have ID with them.

‘To everyone who has been reading unfair tweets about the bar yesterday. It is a shame people can just put these things up without having the facts correct,’ they wrote in a statement on Facebook.

‘They [Giles and the actors] were id’d inside the bar and it was found some of the group did not have id. Therefore they could not be served.’

They added that it is a ‘shame’ that they chose to use the ‘race card’.

‘Just because the next group happened to be white, they were a different age group, so were served,’ they continued.

They argue that their reputation has been tarnished as a result of the accusations, while adding that they welcome all people regardless of race.

‘We now have an unfair reputation which we cannot properly respond to. We have regular customers and staff who are black. It makes no difference to us what colour people are,’ they added.

Giles had previously claimed that he and his group were refused entry to the bar based on the colour of their skin, and that they were ‘devastated, confused and upset’ by the decision.

Taking to Twitter, the actor wrote: ‘I just took a group of eight black actors who I’m directing in a play about American blues musicians to Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues bar in Soho. We were racially profiled and refused entry as 10 white punters were allowed in past us unchecked. WTF. [sic]

‘This group of talented and hard working actors was left devastated, confused and upset while the manager said, “I don’t care who you are or what you are.”

‘That this happens anywhere is a f*****g disgrace, the fact it happens at [a] venue which also exploits blues music is sick.’

Since posting about the alleged incident, Giles has received messages of support from fellow actors on Twitter.

Les Miserables star Carrie Hope Fletcher tweeted: ‘This is horrendous. I’m so so so sorry this happened to you. Shame on you @AintNothinBut1 !!!! [sic]’

The King’s Speech actor Tim Downie wrote: ‘I’m disgusted to hear that, lost for words. Much love to you all x.’