How a London Makeup Artist Unintentionally played a Part in One of the UK’s Biggest Jewellery Heists
Before gaining recognition as La Voix on rupaul’s Drag Race U.K. and captivating viewers on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, Chris Dennis worked behind the scenes as a makeup artist in London. In 2009, without realizing it, his skills helped two criminals disguise themselves for one of the moast daring jewellery thefts ever recorded in Britain.
The £40 Million Heist: A Disguise Crafted for Crime
At just 29 years old, Chris dennis accepted what seemed like an ordinary freelance makeup assignment at Charles fox studio in Covent garden. The clients requested aging prosthetics and intricate makeup effects, claiming thay were preparing for a music video shoot. Unbeknownst to Dennis, these men were about to carry out the largest jewellery robbery ever seen in the UK.
The heist took place on August 6, 2009, when two armed individuals entered Graff Diamonds’ flagship store located in London’s West End. Dressed sharply and concealed by expertly applied prosthetics created by Dennis,they made off with approximately £40 million worth of precious rings,watches,bracelets,and necklaces-equivalent to nearly $73 million USD at that time.
A Seemingly Routine Appointment Turns Into a Criminal Investigation
Dennis remembered that aside from their somewhat distant attitude and brief communication during their session-paying around £450 for four hours-the men appeared unremarkable. after applying latex masks along with carefully blended makeup details to alter their appearances dramatically, they left without arousing suspicion.
the following day brought shock when news outlets published images of the suspects alongside CCTV footage from Graff Diamonds. realizing his inadvertent involvement in such a high-profile crime prompted Dennis to contact law enforcement immediately. Scotland Yard quickly took over; plainclothes officers interviewed him extensively while collecting all materials used during the session-including brushes, rubber masks-and even cash for forensic testing.
Narrowly Avoiding Infamy: From Makeup Chair to Courtroom Witness
This unexpected connection thrust Dennis into legal proceedings as a witness after police apprehended not only the robbers but also three accomplices within months of the incident. Despite initial unease about being linked to such an audacious crime, he later reflected humorously on how flawed parts of their escape plan were-as an example leaving behind critical evidence like a cellphone and shotgun cartridges inside their getaway car after crashing into a taxi during their flight from police pursuit.
The fate of Stolen treasures: Fragmented Sales or Permanent Loss?
The ultimate destination of many stolen jewels remains unclear; however experts suggest much was dismantled soon after theft and sold piece-by-piece across various international markets-a common tactic among thieves aiming to avoid detection through resale fragmentation. This method complicates recovery efforts significantly since individual gems often disappear into private collections or underground trade networks worldwide.
A Recurring Theme: Disguises Linked To major UK Crimes
This was not an isolated incident involving Charles Fox studio alone-in February 2006 another infamous crime occurred involving thieves who similarly obtained disguises through comparable channels without revealing true intentions beforehand. That event marked Britain’s largest cash robbery totaling £53 million (approximately $105 million), highlighting how criminal enterprises sometimes exploit professional services unwittingly provided by artists like Dennis.
From Behind-the-Scenes Artist To Celebrated Stage Performer
Today Chris Dennis embraces his public persona not only as La Voix but also as an accomplished entertainer skilled at singing, dancing, comedy-and apparently crafting convincing disguises too! His transformation from anonymous makeup artist unknowingly tied to one of Britain’s most notorious robberies has become part of his unique narrative shared widely among fans enjoying his current success on Strictly Come Dancing.
Sharing glimpses into this new chapter via social media platforms such as Instagram where La Voix expresses pure joy performing live weekly-“having the time of my life”-it is evident that while past events shaped him unexpectedly years ago; now he shines brightly under stage lights rather than behind masks designed for deception.
