Hélène Hendriks Banned From Tilburg Fair After Insulting Former Mayor

The Origin of the Ban

The revelation surfaced during a recent episode of the talk show De Oranjezomer, when fellow media personality Thomas van Groningen noted that Hendriks was no longer permitted to attend the Tilburg Fair. Hendriks confirmed the claim, explaining that the friction stems from her early career as a reporter for Omroep Brabant.

According to the presenter, she was assigned to cover Pink Monday—a well-known, inclusive celebration held during the Tilburg Fair—alongside politician Henk Krol. During the assignment, she encountered then-mayor Peter Noordanus. Unfamiliar with the correct pronunciation of his surname, Hendriks misidentified it, leading to an ill-fated attempt at humor.

I thought it was Noord Anus and said to him: ‘It’s also funny that you have such a name on Pink Monday at the Tilburg Fair.’ I made a whole item out of it, but he couldn’t really appreciate it. Hélène Hendriks, presenter

Reaction to the Incident

The anecdote provided a moment of levity for the current panel on De Oranjezomer. Thomas van Groningen, who noted he planned to visit the fair himself, teased the presenter about her restricted status. You are no longer welcome there, by the way, he remarked during the broadcast. Hendriks responded with a sense of remorse, admitting, I did say it, after Van Groningen questioned the appropriateness of her past remarks.

While the incident has left her unwelcome at the fair, Hendriks noted that she has moved on to other professional commitments, including her current talk show and podcast work. Catherine Keyl, another guest on the program, observed that despite the insult, the mispronunciation was ironically aligned with the celebratory, queer-focused nature of Pink Monday, though the former mayor clearly did not share that perspective.

Broadcasting History and Professional Context

Before her national fame, Hendriks built her early career in the Brabant region, working for outlets such as Brabant10, NAC TV, and eventually Omroep Brabant. Her time at the regional broadcaster involved covering large-scale local events, including the Tilburg Fair, which is recognized as the largest of its kind in the Benelux region.

The disclosure comes amid a busy period for Hendriks, who has recently faced public scrutiny regarding her professional relationships. Reports from De Telegraaf indicate that she has also been navigating a strained relationship with former colleague Jack van Gelder. Van Gelder recently expressed disappointment regarding their lack of contact following his departure from De Oranjezondag, a claim Hendriks disputed by highlighting that she had attempted to reach him by phone in late April. While the two have since made contact, the situation remains a point of focus for media observers tracking the presenter’s career.