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Hugh Grant hits out at 'creepy and insulting' question Heathrow staff asked kids when they landed at airport

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Updated 11:02 7 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 10:59 7 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Hugh Grant hits out at 'creepy and insulting' question Heathrow staff asked kids when they landed at airport

The actor slammed the 'intrusive' line of questioning his kids were subjected to

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

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Hugh Grant's post-holiday high came to an abrupt end when he landed at Heathrow Airport.

The Love Actually star, 64, has taken to social media to complain about a 'creepy and insulting' exchange his kids had with border staff upon returning to London.

He shared a furious post on X on Friday (4 April), explaining that he was left stunned by the 'intrusive' line of questioning he claims his offspring were subjected to in the UK's largest airport.

Grant has five children, but he has kept them out of the spotlight over the years, apart from sharing a few anecdotes here and there about his experience of fatherhood.

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He shares Tabitha Xiao Xi Grant, 13, and Felix Chang Hong Grant, 11, with actress Tinglan Hong, as well as John Mungo Grant, 12, Lulu Danger Grant, 9, and Blue Grant, 7,with his now-wife and TV producer, Anna Eberstein.

Although he didn't specify which children he was travelling with, it appeared as though he was referring to the kids he shares with Eberstein in his exasperated tweet.

Grant slammed the 'creepy and insulting' questions in a social media post (Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty)
Grant slammed the 'creepy and insulting' questions in a social media post (Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty)

Grant wrote: "Just came through Heathrow with wife and children. We all have the same last name (Grant) on our passports.

"Immigration officer engages my children in chit chat then whispers to them 'Are these your Mum and Dad?' Intrusive, insulting and creepy."

It is unclear where Grant and his family were flying back home from, however, what is blatantly obvious is that the Heretic actor isn't a fan of immigration officers asking his kids to clarify who they are travelling with.

As many people may already be aware, border force staff - who are employed by the Home Office, rather than individual UK airports - sometimes quiz holidaymakers travelling with youngsters.

As Heathrow Airport explains, people who are travelling with a child 'who has a different last name from yours or who isn't your own' can be asked to 'confirm your relationship'.

It adds: "If you're travelling with a child who has a different last name from yours or who isn't your own, you may be asked to confirm your relationship.

"You can speed up this process, by bringing documents that prove your relationship with the child and the reason for your trip.

The actor, pictured with wife Anna Eberstein at an LA airport in 2019, has five children in total (Photo by BG022/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The actor, pictured with wife Anna Eberstein at an LA airport in 2019, has five children in total (Photo by BG022/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

"This can include birth or adoption, marriage or divorce certificates, or even a letter from the child's parent(s) permitting you to travel and providing their contact information."

Furthermore, the government website explains that immigration officers 'sometimes may ask a few questions' if an 'adult is not the child’s parent, or has a different family name'.

Explaining why, it states: "Every day thousands of children arrive at the UK border, many return from holiday with their family or with family friends. The safety and welfare of every child is of utmost importance to us."

These extra checks might be bothersome when you just want to get home, but it's an important safeguarding measure put in place to try and combat child trafficking and abductions.

It is unclear why Grant's children were asked the question though, given that they all share the same surname.

It comes just weeks after Heathrow Airport was plunged into chaos after a nearby fire caused a power outage and grounded thousands of flights.

LADbible have contacted the Home Office for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Topics: Celebrity, Travel, Twitter, Social Media, UK News, London

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

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@livburke_

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