Gordon Ramsay has become the latest celebrity caught up in the disturbing trend of swatting, after his Bel Air home was suddenly surrounded by police on Tuesday night. According to reports from TMZ, the 58-year-old chef’s property was the scene of a major emergency response, triggered by a prank call falsely claiming there was a gunman on site.
The LAPD confirmed they received a call at 8.40pm from someone reporting an active shooter at the Hell’s Kitchen star’s LA mansion. Officers rushed to the scene, but quickly discovered it was a hoax. There were no signs of a disturbance, and neighbours confirmed that nothing had happened.
Police are now investigating the incident, which fits a worrying pattern of prank emergency calls known as “swatting” — where someone deliberately reports a fake crisis to prompt a heavy police response, often involving armed units. It’s a deeply dangerous tactic that’s been growing in popularity, particularly among those looking to harass high-profile individuals.
The Associated Press has noted that while bomb threats have been around for decades, swatting has become increasingly common, with celebrities, politicians, and even influencers being targeted. In the US, victims have included Cardi B, Jennifer Aniston, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, and Rihanna, not to mention the infamous Playboy Mansion. Even Simon Cowell, Ashton Kutcher, and Pharrell have been victims of similar pranks in previous years.
The Daily Express reached out to Gordon Ramsay’s team for a comment, but has not yet received a response.
It’s not the only security issue Gordon has faced recently. Back in February, he revealed during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show that nearly 500 cat figurines were stolen from his Lucky Cat restaurant in just one week. The statues, which cost £4.50 each, added up to a loss of more than £2,000.
“The cats are getting stolen,” Gordon said on the show. “There were 477 stolen last week.” The high-end restaurant, inspired by 1930s Tokyo kissas and Shanghai drinking dens, opened its doors in Mayfair in 2019 and has since become a stylish spot for food lovers — and apparently souvenir hunters.
While the missing cats were a more light-hearted issue, this latest swatting incident is no joke. With armed police turning up at someone’s home based on a lie, it’s a prank that puts lives at serious risk, not just for the celebrities, but for officers and nearby residents too.
For now, police are trying to trace the hoax caller responsible for dragging Gordon into this terrifying situation. One thing is clear: even TV’s toughest chef isn’t immune to the darker side of fame.
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