Radio DJ Tony Anstis was forced to contact the police after finding himself stuck on a tube on the London Underground for one hour which resulted in a number of disgruntled commuters turning “aggressive”.
Anstis, 52, took to social media on Tuesday morning to share his plight initially to advise fans that he was stuck on the Piccadilly Line and running considerably late for his Heart Dance Radio show.
He also used Twitter to vent his frustration to Transport for London over how he had been left “bloody freezing” for over an hour on the train - telling them he would be calling the police due to “aggressive people causing problems”.
Several Tube lines were hit with major delays on Tuesday with temperatures scarcely above freezing. As of early Tuesday afternoon, the Jubilee, Metropolitan and Piccadilly were experiencing severe delays due to a combination of signal failures and faulty trains.
The former Broom Cupboard presenter’s troubles began around 6.30am this morning, with him telling his 33,500 followers: “Good morning @heartdance family, due to @tfl keeping us stick on a tube train on the #piccadillyline in London, I’m unable to be there for the start of my radio show at 7.
“Fuming!! Apparently they’re trying to wake up an engineer to fix a signal. You couldn’t make it up!”
TFL soon responded, thanking him for his patience and letting him know the line was suspended between Acton Town and Hyde Park Corner eastbound.
“I’m hearing you’re still trying to wake up an engineer to fix the bloody signal, while we’re all stick on a train,” Anstis fired back, “And now the lights have all gone out?!! I’ll be reporting this and wanting compensation!”
The usually affable personality went on to chat with his followers - joking he might not even make Friday’s radio show at this rate - before revealing the conditions on the carriage had got worse.
“Please @tfl get this bloody train moving! The lights are out and it’s freezing! This is now totally unacceptable!!!” Toby pleaded with TfL just after 6.30am this morning.
“Coming up for one hour stuck!!! On a freezing cold, powerless tube train in London. It’s -3, no power, no heating, no announcement, absolutely inexcusable from you lot at @tfl!”
A further update proved concerning, with him writing: “Ok, I’m actually being serious now @tfl.
“We are bloody freezing on this train. Stuck between Hammersmith and Barons Ct, you need to get us off, and quickly. I’m also calling the police as there are now aggressive people causing problems. @metpoliceuk.”
The Met Contact Centre Twitter account quickly replied: “Hi, if there is someone being aggressive on the train, please DM us, so we can take some details, if you have not already been in touch with @BTPLondon.”
Other commuters caught up in delays also vented their frustrations.
“The Piccadilly Line this morning was an absolute shambles. Make sure you guys put in your refund claims to TFL,” one tweeted.
Another added: “Why is it -4C and why has the Piccadilly line failed? Standing around for 30m on a train platform not fun.”
Meanwhile, a Jubilee line passenger said: “These trains are f***ing ridiculous now. I’ve been at London Bridge forever! Jubilee line is suspended.”
For Anstis, the issue was fixed just before 7.15am, with the star telling his worried fans: “Will just get to work for the start of #schoolrunravers on @heartdance at 8.”
Reflecting on his ordeal later, he told one concerned follower: “Shook me up a bit I’m not going to lie! Horrendous from @tfl and the London Underground!”
