Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s interview with Diane Sawyer derailed by police: ‘They’re going to arrest us’

Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s sit down with Diane Sawyer for the Love Actually anniversary special was interrupted by London officers.

The ABC one-off programme, which aired on Tuesday, marked Richard Curtis’ movie turning 20 with a series of interviews with cast members including Hugh Grant, 62, and Emma Thompson, 63.

Among the classic Christmas movie’s stars to chat to the US talk show host, 76, was Thomas, 32, who played Liam Neeson’s lovesick stepson, Sam.

In the film he famously falls for his American classmate (Olivia Olson), and learns the drums to impress her, before chasing her through an airport to finally get his festive kiss.

The Queen’s Gambit actor reflected on his time in the blockbuster movie on Tuesday’s The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later – although his conversation was nearly cut off.

Diane and the Game of Thrones star were sat on a London bench, where Thomas had filmed a scene with Liam, 70, in Love Actually, when a producer ran up to them.

Thomas played lovestruck kid Sam in Love Actually (Picture: ABC)

The crew member told them: ‘We have to stop. The police say we don’t have the proper permit and they’re going to arrest us.’

Laughing, Diane joked: ‘Oh they are? Now we run,’ after describing the experience as ‘abrupt.’

A producer told them to stop the interview (Picture: ABC)

The pair then quickly get up and search for a new location – presumably one that doesn’t need a permit.

Also in the special Richard, 66, admitted he’s ‘uncomfortable’ by the festive rom-com’s lack of diversity.

Thomas and Diane quickly found a new location for the interview (Picture: ABC)

The director said in the one-hour special: ‘There are things that you would change, but thank God society is changing.’

He continued: ‘My film is bound in some moments to feel out of date. The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid.’ 

‘There is such extraordinary love that goes on every minute in so many ways, all the way around the world, and makes me wish my film was better. 

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‘It makes me wish I’d made a documentary just to kind of observe it.’ 

The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later is available on Hulu.

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A close shave.