Francis Bourgeois Is A National Treasure Of The TikTok Age

The world is a horrible place at the moment. With the world seemingly falling apart while the prime minister attends parties, we need all the cheering up we can get. And lots of the internet has found joy in Francis Bourgeois, the train-spotter who has become viral, well, for spotting trains.

But, obviously, the reason people have taken to Francis isn't because of his hobby - while most respect it, frankly, the trains aren't the reason people are watching his videos. It's his unfiltered joy and passion - and quirky camera angles, filmed using a GoPro - which he has since become famous for. In a world where young people are under pressure to fit in, it's refreshing to see someone fully embracing a hobby which, traditionally, hasn't always been seen as cool as music, baking, skateboarding or football.

It's not just us normal people who are obsessed either, as celebrities can't get enough. He's appeared on This Morning with Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and had Arsenal legend Thierry Henry appear in one video. But he's also had a load of other famous people wanting to get involved, including - randomly - Joe Jonas{ =nofollow}. AND THEY FINALLY MET TODAY. In a story posted to Francis' Instagram, he was seen out trainspotting with the Jonas brother - and we can't wait to see what other content lies ahead.

In a video posted last month, Francis responded to some speculation that he could be a character after photos of him at university - wearing what he later called 'roadman clothes' - appeared on the internet. Some thought he couldn't possibly be interested in trains, because he was seen in a Burberry shirt (which is frankly ridiculous, because what you wear or look like does not determine your hobbies).

In a TikTok, he explained, with photographic evidence, that he'd always been obsessed by trains when he was at school. But, for a while, he felt so pressured to fit in that he sold his model railway for a gym membership. But that since lockdown, he's embraced his hobby again and that he feels so much happier as his life is now purer. (We're not crying, you are.) 'Train spotters come in all different shapes and sizes,' he says, before referencing his outfit, 'they can even be wearing a True Religion jeans jacket and Air Max trainers.'

Since he created his wholesome TikTok during the pandemic, Francis has accumulated a huge 1.9million followers on there, and a further 1.1million on Instagram. Though we think his love of trains is completely real, the only thing which definitely isn't authentic is his name, as it was recently revealed by the Tab that he is actually called Luke Nicolson (but hey, most famous people, like actors and singers, have a stage name - so why shouldn't Francis?) He's also signed to a top modelling agency, and since he became a media personality, he's even done a shoot for iconic magazine The Face.

Among his millions of fans, some were also recently heartbroken to discover that Francis is not single, as he revealed in a video - on a railway trip - that he has a girlfriend. (As one summed up: 'Approximately 900,000 women just died of heartbreak.') He's thought to be about 21 or 22, and he's studying studying engineering at the University of Nottingham, and has been able to give up his job because of his career.

One thing's for sure, Francis isn't going anywhere soon - and we only expect to see his career continue on an upward track.

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