PROOF Francis Bourgeois (Train Guy) Isn't Faking It!

Chris Stark from BBC Radio 1 recently went out for drinks with Tik Tok's favourite trainspotter, Francis Bourgeois. Chris spills the beans on whether Francis is playing a character or not...
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[@HappyHourPodcast]

What do you think after the story from Chris, is Francis just really clever at playing a fake character to get Internet fame, or does he have a genuine lifelong passion for trains? Let us know! 🇳🇺

[@9Figures]

He’s a genuine guy just look in his eyes mans a pure soul

[@jamessheehy4895]

Its like schmee in a way he sounds like a business man such original content

[@JamieTalksSport]

He’s real, I met him at a club in Bristol, Thekla. Even after a lot of drinks, he was still genuinely wanted to take photos and he was still talking about trains. I respect him for his passion, I love his videos before and his videos after hit differently after knowing that it’s genuine

[@michaelcorleone7598]

He’s playing a character, his real name is Luke Nicholson. I don’t doubt his passion for trains I’m just not buying the quirky act.

[@ryuhayabaker]

@@michaelcorleone7598 it’s entertainment. People still think Karl Pilkington is an actor called Graham, doesn’t make the shows less funny for me if he was.

[@alexbirch8101]

The effort at the end to make sure the clip reaches 8 minutes is impressive

[@chris-cole]

I've watched enough of Luke to be convinced that he's quite the quirky individual, he likes what he likes and his reactions are as unique as himself really. And that's OK. I like the guy. His passion just magnetises you to him. I think it's wonderful to see such a sheltered guy be confident and free enough to share his passion with us. Be yourselves. Nothing wrong in that.

[@WillWatches]

Even if you think his persona is fake you cant deny his passion and immense knowledge of trains

[@jackkeane6]

And neekiness

[@Getslashfucked]

Agreed

[@bearlyfifa]

@@jackkeane6 lot of chat for a man who has frozen in his favourite videos LOL

[@onaduttyriddim7299]

@@bearlyfifa that is neekayy babyyyyy

[@radicalgambino2959]

You can't fake that level of interest and enthusiasm

[@NA597]

What i like about him is that you are laughing with him and at him at the say time. His passion for trains is inspiring and and his reactions are always amazing and bring joy, but I will always laugh at the camera angle, that is hilarious

[@seely32]

He's definitely a character, but he truly loves trains. There's just way too many "cant believe you got that on camera moments."

[@thesamaffliction1572]

Francis is definitely a ‘character’ in the sense that it’s his genuine interests and passions but he exaggerates it for the content. Same way most lifestyle content creators are. He reacts to trains the same way I do to Ferrari’s etc. It’s not that different. I like that he’s proven people wrong and made what is seen as a nerdy or elderly interest and showed you can have an interest in that but also be a normal guy his age

[@Christina_Cage]

Nope, his entire gimmick, name, hobby, autism, it's all a fake gimmick he invented during lockdown. Go check out his social media stuff BEFORE the tictok gimmicj

[@chris-cole]

I've watched the clip where he explains why he called himself Francis Bourguois, it was to disguise himself so to ward off offensive comments and negative attention. Can't blame the guy for that. He's genuine I feel, and you can see this in his reactions. He's very nerdy/quirky. You could even say he's had a very sheltered life. But then you look at his dress sense and stance, his shoes like burgundy slip-ons. I just can't help but love this guy though. For all his quirks, he's just a guy loving his hobby. Nothing wrong with that. He's entertaining too and I'd go as far to say he's making trainspotting quite unique, in a good way, again.

[@Stickbatbee]

I feel like online, everyone is a character, not in a negative way but everyone plays an over exaggerated version of themselves because its more interesting to watch. I can’t remember if it was you or H3 that’s said this before.

[@kmma1094]

I’m not I get all the bitches whether I’m playing the sims online or if I’m out in the real world laying pipe

[@kmma1094]

I like to trap women in swimming pools and lock them in buildings on fire on the sims and in real life too

[@21zgid53]

I see this all the time it’s just like actors playing a character on a big screen

[@Magda444lena]

I met Francis at an art gallery, he is the loveliest guy

[@user-jg4yh]

Is it a character?

[@Viceeoff]

@@user-jg4yh bruv literally watch the video they answer it

[@chrisjames6327]

@@Viceeoff It is a character

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

I've never thought he's faking it he genuinely loves trains

[@isaaclodziak-green6326]

Nobody has corrected his knowledge of trains as far as I know which is a good sign of having a genuine interest. Nobody is learning about such a boring subject without having at least some interest in it 😂

[@Yamah12a]

I thought he had autism and just found love in trains.

[@chrisjames6327]

@@isaaclodziak-green6326 They're pre-recorded videos. Would be easy to study for each Tiktok

[@TheVarietyProject]

He's actually addresses this already where he's said that he literally tried to act like a popular kid dress and be a certain way to try fit In, he signed for a modelling agency at one point too I believe I assume he's dropped that since but still all boils down to trying not to be an outcast because of his own interests and personality and it shouldn't be like that, everyone should be accepted for who they are, simple as that really

[@chrisjames6327]

Well, that's what you'd say, if your real named got uncovered, and people realized you've only been into trains for 12 months

[@JustLukeMorgan]

Don't we all play characters to an extent while online? Some more than others, of course, but I don't think it's a problem. If you know what works and what an audience wants to watch, you've nailed it.

[@limbothytimothy]

especially if it's just an exaggarated version of your own personality

[@matthewwoolf6198]

Who's even bothered if its a 'character' just let the guy enjoy himself

[@chalesbergca3754]

I've heard people get upset because they think he's pretending to have autism

[@nickwoolley7368]

The only reason im slightly bother by it is his character presents as autistic. Makes it feel a bit slimy

[@brickhead48]

Francis is a classic case of someone being judged by the majority for having an obscure hobby/interest. It's hardly a new phenomenon, but if your interests don't involve going out and & getting wasted every weekend you'll be seen as "weird" by the masses. This guy, exaggerated character or not, has made people question that ethos.

[@MisterNumber6]

well said, 100%

[@chrisjames6327]

@@MisterNumber6 Well, that and he's faking it. Go and look at his social media profiles from 6 months before he started Tiktok. He obviously had completely different interests

[@philipplutki]

@@chrisjames6327 people change their interests or discover new hobbies, sounds crazy I know

[@Joe_Payne]

​@Chris James if you look at trans people before HRT they look different. That doesn't mean the old them is the real them.

[@Christina_Cage]

@@philipplutki People don't magically turn autistic. The lad is a grift, he's an upper class Buzcocks

[@HotpottingMad]

I absolutely love Francis' content. It is so wholesome.

[@omagnon]

I think he is the Stacy Solomon build. Play on the unique characteristics and sell it.

[@jamessheehy4895]

This is awesome give us more daily clips please

[@astorrar3476]

I'm addicted to this podcast

[@caissa6187]

I LOVE FRANCIS!!! He really makes my day with his videos. Genuine heart 🙂

[@justamanchimp]

I'm kinda like this Francis guy, I relate to him a little. I have many passions and sometimes people think I'm weird, I literally think in a way that I feel 80% of people don't, on a side note I think I'm autistic but idk. But what I'm seeing, the fact that so many people can't believe this guy is genuine is testament how reserved and insecure people actually can be in my mind. Like people can't believe this guy is genuine because they can't imagine being like that themselves. He literally just does what makes him happy and expresses that without care, that's literally it. It's really that simple. But of course people are too self conscious and basically are a bit sheepish in how they only do things to conform and to please others. Ultimately they do things with an agenda and they inevitably compromise on the love and passion that ultimately makes something great. People think he must be faking it, or they think how could someone possibly be so happy? To me this is sad because I see it so clearly, John Lennon said it 50 odd years ago: "There's nowhere you can't be that isn't where you're meant to be, it's easy, love all you need" To anyone learning something from this, please just do the things you love, express yourself, go on that journey and literally stop caring about what others think. Embarrass yourself on purpose, that's what I used to do. Make yourself strong. But either way, love something. Not necessarily someone, although that is obviously important too, but love something, anything. Do it no matter how bonkers it seems to others. Do that bonkers thing and do it with pride. For me, guitar playing, song writing, programming and motorsports are like my main loves. My life revolves around these four things and I wouldn't change it for the world. One you do the things you love with conviction, you start to realise how fragile and insecure the people who ridicule you for it actually are, and in my mind, that's a lot of friggen people these days!! We don't seem to learn from the old greats anymore which is a shame because they worked all this out way before us.

[@fergus8814]

Just because he likes trains (like me😂) doesn’t mean he won’t like music festivals or anything that isn’t related to trains

[@JoePlatt1]

He has a passion for trains for sure but his name is actually Luke. I don't think you can hyperventilate like he does when a train goes past if you're acting.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Brilliant Video

[@britishidiots3842]

Francis is a character in the sense he's just a more exaggerated and flamboyant version of himself

[@Alphoric]

He knows so much about trains it’s so clear it ain’t a character

[@felixwarren6426]

You should try and get him on the podcast

[@Schizopantheist]

My brother is a train fanatic and also a massive music nerd with encyclopaedic knowledge of underground music. No contradiction there. He isn't a roadman though to be fair (But neither is this fella)

[@timburr4453]

He isn't faking it...he is just that passionate about trains (more so engineering. I believe he is a young engineering student) but every time I get the urge to maybe poke fun at him...I regularly lose my mind over sports teams. It is no different at all than him losing his mind over trains

[@mashthebanana]

Back in April 2021 I came across his content and there was a video where he addressed people thinking he was fake and spoke about during his teenage years feeling the need to conform. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to that. I can anyway. Also the caption of that video says "I can see why people think I’m joking because I try and make funny videos but I genuinely love trains". It makes me sad that he keeps having to address this.

[@UnknownStrobes]

Gotta say, stevie’s hair is looking sick!

[@jrbs]

He appears to be more vulnerable than he really is.

[@360Fov]

I only just realized they have a fan now 🤣 Dysong giving it large in the corner

[@franklingoodwin]

How many years did Francis spend at the tap end (if any)? 😂

[@ryanjohninman3035]

Class podcast

[@MaseTMT]

He clearly loves trains and old posts from his girlfriend also confirm that. He definitely plays to the audience a bit though which is expected. Interested to know why he goes by the fake name Francis though….does have a better ring to it than Luke but maybe wanted to separate it from every day life

[@chrisjames6327]

He clearly loves trains, because of pre-recorded videos? He could just research, write scripts, rehearse them etc etc

[@MaseTMT]

@@chrisjames6327 no as I mentioned…old videos on his GFs account long before he was famous

[@L____]

Really hope you asked Chris if he was behind the general minus videos

[@1997portsmouth]

Francis is the best thing that has come out of Portsmouth ❤️

[@mikebuick2332]

@spinozasdreams Clifford 👍👍

[@jamesbrook9979]

I saw francois at battersea powerstation, i think hes a cool guy

[@Ashs-mini-vlogs]

Character or not its good to bring joy and trains lol

[@florencebourgeois8472]

Right people having an “F Bourgeois” name isn’t that ridiculous of an idea😂

[@timtube1663]

Just proves there are people who have genuine passion for trains but can like other so called 'normal' things too.

[@d1kjr795]

3:09 the inteo

[@louiejonesponation]

As a trainspotter, I don’t think Luke Nicholson (Francis Bourgeoi) is faking it. Yeah, how he acts on camera and his past is clear that he was faking it, but there’s a photo of him playing with a model railway when was 11 to 13. He was trying to blend in, and I can relate because that’s what I tried to do and regretted it. So, if you guys think he’s faking it, imagine being his younger self. I got taken the mick out of for being a train enthusiast and it really run me down.

[@emulus4000]

I'm considered nerdy. Always have been. I'm currently doing a PhD. But I like sports, especially football, and love dance music. I really enjoy listening to the Prodigy, Deadmau5, and Skrillex stuff. People dont think they go together for some reason

[@Smith89123]

Being eccentric and posh must be the new “cool” persona to have.

[@12380shadow]

It's definitely a character lol

[@cilliancollins1284]

can we just take a moment to appreciate jacks new teeth 😨

[@evannationarmy3638]

As far as I'm aware its a persona. He has another instagram account with a different name, suggesting that "Francis Bourgerois" is just a persona. Regardless, he's a lovely and entertaining bloke!

[@trainsguy]

My identity is lost *disappears*

[@brandonm8901]

Huge huge fan of Chris Stark. Legend of the game

[@69nuttshell]

That ending was so weird

[@bigel1143]

When did jack have his teeth done?

[@dazza912]

Wow...2 ads within 2 minutes..calm down.

[@joeboygypsy]

“BBC & Radio One encourages us to help people” Jimmy Savile Tim Westwood Tony Blackburn Stuart Hall Gary Glitter John Peel

[@daddywhogames6601]

Don't forget jodie whittaker, she did things to the doctor without their consent

[@joeboygypsy]

@@daddywhogames6601 dunno what your on about m8…

[@ChorltonandtheWheelies]

What did Tim Westwood do? ( apart from being a knob) 🤔xx

[@callumatkinson4402]

@@ChorltonandtheWheelies look it up

[@lukem118]

WTH was that outro 😂

[@joris3193]

Cool

[@athomasbond]

Fake or not who's arsed, the lad likes trains regardless, no one gets on Amelia Dimoldenberg for her created persona, leave him to do his thing

[@chelsealouisecale4429]

Used to live with his girlfriend for a year at uni, never once did he mention trains lol

[@MyCold1]

As he has said before, he was always trying to fit in.

[@willgoodall1529]

I think the train guy is a bit like Karl Pilkington, in the way that he's not a "character" as such, but a vastly exaggerated version of himself

[@CATKYBNM]

Watch the XFM shows from 2001, Karl isn’t exaggerated. He’s really like that. These radio shows are before he was famous, and the reason why he became famous. Because everything he said was how the mainstream found him. He really is that person

[@JJM04]

I think he uses the fake name the same way as Mark Goldbridge to create an exaggerated persona for his videos

[@daddywhogames6601]

Goldbridge has admitted he googled a few names, then settled on that one because it was the only result that returned zero results. He was never gonna choose Mark Smith was he

[@ellebarron7112]

People who think hes over exaggerating or faking it have never met a train fan before....theres no exaggerating that excitement

[@danlindholm8840]

He given himself a characteristic name and he not playing a character…… ok 🤔😂👍

[@JALC-x]

i feel bad for him. it all started as a way of sharing his passion for his hobby, and he clearly gained traction online through people pointing and laughing, after which people became endeared to him and remained fans. but even still there are people who just can't understand how you could have so much passion for an 'obscure' hobby, and those people will always see him as an outcast when in reality he's more human than any of them

[@ThatRyanFellow]

Think a lot of the reaction was more about how genuine his reactions were. There's always gonna be people that mock others for their interests, that's a given.

[@chrisjames6327]

@@ThatRyanFellow There's zero evidence he's been into trains for more than 12 months, and lots of evidence it's all an act.

[@MrTumnus1987]

@@chrisjames6327 nah man, the dude knows his shit about trains & the history. You can’t just learn that in such a short timeframe. As a rail fan he’s 200% legit.

[@richytyler]

How is it even a question? Of course he's not faking it. You can't fake the authenticity there

[@damienmarshall350]

His name is Luke Nicholson FFS, have a day off.

[@wheresthecutestuff]

This presenter seems so normal he’s almost odd (sorry but that’s what I see) and he probably represents exactly how a lot of people see anyone who’s a bit different

[@wml4928790]

I don't know who this guy is, but I don't think Francis needed His help. I think this guy saw Francis' following and needed want to reach out get some of his followers

[@alisonr9608]

I agree, he wanted to ride on his coat tails. Laughable saying the BBC teaches us to " help " people.

[@herbz794]

i know this guy personally he is a character

[@HappyHourPodcast]

Tell us more! How do you know him?

[@wayfara]

@@HappyHourPodcast your highlights logo kinda sucks it's 2d and flat

[@cov9290]

How do you know him

[@MyCold1]

Yeah right

[@osantiagues]

I think he's absolutely 100% a character. Those old photos of him that have surfaced show a completely different look and personality (you can see it in his eyes). He even chose a different name for the character. Plus other odd things to get attention like the fish-eye lens and squealing when a train goes past. It's no different to Keith Lemon I guess, but to try and pass it off as the real him is a different matter.

[@PedroGonzalez11111]

Why is this even a question / conversation? It’s not hard to see, you make it out like it’s SBC doing Borat

[@ef8742]

Went to school with this kid, my claim to fame

[@ChavezBlueHair]

So what was he like?

[@user-ng6sp6xc5n]

Definitely is a character

[@wheresthecutestuff]

Or do people not know that autism means a lifetime of masking who you really are, trying to copy other people to be accepted?

[@R_W103]

Leave a comment and we’ll pin the best one…. 64 comments later, not one pinned

[@harrymaule2605]

It’s not a character

[@daviduk2510]

Whoever he is, thankfully he can articulate far better than these guys😊

[@wheresthecutestuff]

So if someone’s hot and likes music they can’t be nerdy? Do you have to be completely vacuous to be attractive I don’t know what the point is here

[@ashleyroberts454]

100% a character, why would he admit it now? Look where its getting him, he'd be daft to admit it now, give it a few years till he comes up with another character.......... Also not one single piece of proof was given in this clip

[@JoJoJo20233]

Who remembers the videos of him being a rudeboy that disappeared off the Internet not long after you don't go from being some road man to a posh accent who loves trains regardless he's smashing it so don't hate the player hate the player hate the game

[@Zenek143]

The guy has done really well. But outside of knowing about trains what else can he do. No offence, but if his podcast isn’t about trains it will just be be ‘I’m an internet persona talking to another internet persona’

[@DANNYMACLIFE]

Shutup Karen

[@michaelcorleone7598]

He’s playing a character, his real name is Luke Nicholson. I don’t doubt his passion for trains I’m just not buying the eccentric quirky “Francis Bourgeois” act.

[@mikeythescorer]

How do you know?

[@michaelcorleone7598]

@@mikeythescorer It states his real name on Companies House.

[@am_thystaj]

@@michaelcorleone7598 why does it matter?

[@michaelcorleone7598]

@@am_thystaj it clearly matters to you

[@am_thystaj]

@@michaelcorleone7598 I just don't understand why people are so tied up in trying to "expose" someone doing something completely harmless

[@Joey.T11]

So basically yes he is playing a character

[@casperselka671]

second

[@dg9444]

W

[@wheresthecutestuff]

This is very problematic there needs to so much more education at the end of the day it’s simply stop ostracising people for being different or “weird”

[@garyjones407]

His hard drive needs checking

[@dg9444]

Phurst

[@notcharliemills]

It’s pronounced first

[@dg9444]

@@notcharliemills why does it matter how it’s pronounced?

[@wheresthecutestuff]

Or is this because he’s autistic? Do we not know about high functioning autism ?

[@voodoodanny]

Jesus, Chris is not a great orator, is he. So many words but never seemed to quite manage to actually tell us anything.