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In a recent interview on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the Doncaster rock star said about a potential political career: “I have actually thought about that, I know it’s crazy. I feel like you start something as a musician and then you kind of connect with people on the daily, like I always make an effort to see people outside the gigs and see people walk around the festival. This whole community was built on human connection, about how people live and what people struggle with. I thought maybe one day, I think I could do something that would be, I could provide some good somewhere. I think that has actually crossed my mind – Yungblud the politician.”

Yungblud then went on to discuss modren-day notions of masculinity, explaining how this is something he explores in his upcoming album. “With this album, I said at the start of it, I really want to embrace my masculinity, which is a crazy thing to say in 2025. What went into this new album was, like, there is a different type of masculinity. There is a beautiful, pure, loving, caring, but also … I like to box, I like to sing, but I also like to wear a kilt. There’s a new type of masculinity that can be out there and that can be shown, and, as I say, with this community what I want to give is I want to give love and pure love.”

The rock singer, who has always been very open about his mental health struggles, also talked about how he deals with hate and the impact it has on him. In a talk with The Independent, he opened up saying: “I’ll never forget, someone came to me in a pub in east London and just was like, ‘your music is terrible and I don’t believe you and I hate it. I remember, I was, like, 22 and I was trying to like (think) how do I respond to this? And I kind of was just, like, ‘Oh yeah, cool’. I really shut down. I think about that probably once a week.”

The pop-punk musician, known for songs including ‘Cotton Candy’ and ‘Fleabag’, has had two number one albums in the UK chart with ‘Weird!’ in 2020 and his self-titled album in 2022.

Earlier in the year, he received the Disruptor of the Year award at the Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards, held in Liverpool.

Eight people had to be taken to hospital after a ‘chemical substance’ was released at Pop Works nightclub in Doncaster https://t.co/oLFY7DMTqD

— LBC (@LBC) July 31, 2023

A chemical substance, described by authorities as being closely related to pepper spray, was released inside the Pop Works night club in Doncaster, South Yorkshire on the night of 30th July. People attending the club, reported that individuals were seen coughing, vomiting and struggling to breathe. Eight required hospital treatment, although long lasting injuries are not thought to be a danger.

While some reported that a gas-like substance was set off, the nature of the matter has been unverified. Police and emergency services were called to the scene at around 5am, after a number of people became unwell. A multi-agency investigation revealed that the substance was most likely something resembling a pepper spray, although further investigations will be carried out to confirm the substance and identity of the individual who released it.

UPDATE: Following reports a number of people felt unwell after attending a #Doncaster venue this weekend, an investigation has determined that pepper spray or similar was used.

We continue to appeal for info https://t.co/AOE3wsCr5t pic.twitter.com/yCZZXCXqsA

— South Yorkshire Police (@syptweet) July 31, 2023

A statement given by Superintendent Peter Thorpe of Doncaster said, “while our enquiries into this incident remain ongoing, we want to reassure the wider public that this was thankfully a relatively minor release of something akin to a pepper spray, which didn’t cause any lasting injuries and the majority of people at the venue were unaffected. However, the fact remains that whoever chose to bring that substance to the venue clearly did so to cause harm or injury, and we are working to identify those responsible.”

The police confirmed that all eight individuals taken to hospital had been released without further injury. The authorities have also appealed to potential witnesses or those who may have information, to come forward so that a complete understanding of what occurred at the club can be established.

Pop Works expressed deep regret over the incident and do intend to operate as normal, albeit with heightened security measures to keep the public safe within its venue. A statement by the club on social media read, “we would like to apologise to everyone who was inside at the time and who was involved in the incident. What a world we live in that people would make businesses harder than it is in this trade after Covid. We are deeply sorry. Our main priority is our customer’s safety and well-being after making sure that the care needed for those involved was provided.”

Police have pointed out that any individual who has information but wishes to remain anonymous can do so by contacting the charity Crimestoppers by calling the Contact Centre via freephone at 0800 555 111 or through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.