Singer's online show interrupted by police after complaint

Police called to break up a house party instead interrupted a one-woman online show.

Marion Tillbrook was in the middle of singing Rainy Days and Mondays by The Carpenters when officers chapped on her door in Edinburgh on Friday night.

Ms Tillbrook, who was streaming her performance on Facebook Live, said she got a “fright” when she opened her door to find six officers waiting outside.

Police checked the flat for partygoers in response to a complaint, but soon left after concluding Covid restrictions had not been breached.

Ms Tillbrook told STV News: “I have to say they were really nice.

“They took a look round the house to make sure I wasn’t having a party then left.

“The police were happy enough to let me continue as long as I turned it down a little.”

Ms Tillbrook, who has lived in the Leith flat for more than a decade, has been performing on Facebook Live since last May.

She said: “It helps my mental health and cheers people up in these dark times.

“I’ve been a singer for 20 years. Covid has turned my life upside down and these lives give me a purpose.”

Ms Tillbrook, who previously asked her neighbours for permission to perform at home, said this is the first police complaint.

She added: “I did have some woman come screaming at my door in July, but she was gone by the time I got outside to see who she was.

“That was during my Sunday show which I stopped as I didn’t want to upset anyone.”

Following Friday night’s incident, the singer contemplated stopping her shows completely but has since decided to carry on after speaking with her neighbours and online viewers.

Ms Tillbrook said: “I understand people may find it loud, although I do monitor the volume throughout but I’m very approachable.

“I do these lives to give folk a wee boost.

“I have elderly parents who watch. My dad in particular is very ill and housebound so this is the only way he gets to watch me perform.

“I do 90 minutes on a Friday night. I’ve picked a time slot – 7pm until 8.30pm – earlier in the evening so as to try and not disturb people.

“I just want to bring a smile to people’s faces for a bit because let’s face it, there really isn’t much to smile about right now.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.30pm on Friday, police received a report of a potential Covid breach at a property in Dickson Street, Edinburgh.

“Officers attended, however no restrictions were being breached.”