[Ammi]

Will Smith received an electric reception in Brixton after he requested to see “London’s Harlem”.



The US film and music star was greeted by excited crowds as he took a tour around the south London district this morning.

Smith, 44, visited music venue Electric Brixton in Windrush Square, named after the first wave of immigrants that formed the British African-Caribbean community, and the Black Cultural Archives. He also stopped for a coffee at Federation Coffee in Brixton Village.

The actor was accompanied by shadow business secretary, Streatham MP Chuka Umunna and MP for Dulwich and West Norwood Tessa Jowell.

He also paid a surprise visit to St Martin’s School in Tulse Hill where he was greeted by 950 unsuspecting girls after he specially requested to see a London school.

Dame Tessa wrote on Twitter: “Early visit with @ChukaUmunna Brixton Market+Brixton Village then to the dept of Black Cultural Archives with Dawn Hill & Will Smith!!

“Will Smith wanted to see ‘London’s Harlem’! So proud to show him the best of Brixton!”

Once pupils at the girls secondary school had recovered from the shock of seeing the Hollywood A-lister he answered questions from pupils who asked him dozens of questions including how to get into the media industry.

Headmistress Lesley Morrison said it was “fantastic” to have him at the school and said it was an experience that the girls “would never forget”.

She said: “He was fantastic, he spoke with such sincerity, really aspirational, it was a truly inspirational visit the girls will never forget. I know that he’s a superstar and everything but he is a humble man as well. The girls will never ever forget it.”

She added: “I wasn’t quite sure how they would react but they were just totally and utterly thrilled. They’ve all watched the Fresh Prince of Bel Air but they’ve seen all the Men In Black films as well.

“I’m so glad that Chuka brought him to us. I think the staff were just as excited as the girls. It’s a one off experience for them, the girls kept coming up to me and saying thank you so much for bringing him here.”

Mr Umunna wrote on Twitter afterwards that Smith received an “incredible reception”. He added: “Great to show off our awesome #Lambeth - Will wanted to see ‘real’ London and it doesn’t get more real than Lambeth!”

[Kazanne]

How nice for those kids.