Head Piet actor Niels van der Laan files police report over death threats
Dutch cabaret performer and actor Niels van der Laan has filed a police report after receiving multiple death threats linked to his role as Head Piet in the Sinterklaasjournaal, the broadcaster NTR’s annual Sinterklaas program for children, NOS reports.
The threats followed an episode in which Van der Laan, in character as Head Piet, suggested that parents, grandparents, or guardians could secretly buy and hide gifts themselves if Sinterklaas and his helpers were unable to do so. Some viewers criticized this storyline online, arguing it revealed the “secret” of the Sinterklaas holiday.
In Saturday’s broadcast of the satirical program Even tot Hier, which Van der Laan co-hosts with Jeroen Woe, the comedian confirmed the report had been filed.
“A report has been made, and the immediate threat appears to have passed,” Van der Laan said. He also addressed viewers upset over the Sinterklaasjournaal storyline, noting, “Separating the person and the role is not easy for some people.”
During the program, Van der Laan and actor Edwin Rutten, appearing as Sinterklaas, performed a song emphasizing that the Sinterklaasjournaal is intended for children who still believe in Sinterklaas. Van der Laan explained, “My child is still young, so it goes over his head. But I think when he gets older, he won’t believe it anymore.”
The threats drew attention from the national government. Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture and Science Gouke Moes contacted Van der Laan by phone on Friday. A spokesperson for the comedian described the conversation as a “private discussion” and declined to provide further details. The NTR also declined to comment on whether it had been involved in the filing of the report.
