Social media sensation Francis Bourgeois has responded to people who doubt if he's genuine and is actually a trainspotter at all. Watch him explain below:
Francis became an online icon after videos of him clapping and cheering at passing trains filtered through the distorted lens of a fisheye camera unexpectedly warmed the hearts of millions.
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However, pictures began to surface of the previously geeky-looking Bourgeois decked out in designer clothing, as well as the revelation that the 21-year-old student, who currently studies at the University of Nottingham, also works as a model and is represented by Brother modelling agency.
Records from Company House also appeared to suggest Francis Bourgeois was an alias, and his real name was actually Luke Nicolson.
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People were devastated. One Twitter user said: "Somebody please tell me the UK's most wholesome person, Francis Bourgeois, is not really a phoney called Luke."
Another lamented: "Finding out Santa isn't real < finding out Francis bourgeois is really called Luke Nicholson."
Luckily, Francis (or Luke) was on standby to set the record straight.
Taking to Instagram, he said: "I know people have been doubting my authenticity and whether or not I'm really a trainspotter, mostly because of pictures of me from when I was younger."
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He went on to explain that after moving to a new school in Year 7, the young Francis felt lonely and isolated because of his love for trains.
In order to fit in better, he said: "I gelled my hair up and decided to sell my model train sets in order to fund my gym membership.
"I even started wearing roadman clothes, but it wasn't me and it wasn't making me happy.
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"Then lockdown happened, my hair grew out and I started to reclaim my love of trains through my videos, and honestly running down those platforms and chasing trains really makes me feel like the shackles are off and I'm totally free.
"I've met wonderful friends, and life is so much more fulfilling now that I've reconnected with my passion.
"Trainspotters come in all shapes and sizes - they can even wear a True Religion jean-jacket and a pair of Air Max!"
Phew! Glad we've got that all sorted.
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Looks like Luke/Francis can reclaim his title as the most wholesome man in Britain and we can all sleep a little easier in our beds.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@francis_bourgeois43