It is safe to say that TikTok train enthusiast Francis Bourgeois holds a special place in the hearts of many.
The ‘absolute icon’ has become popular on social media ever since we got a first glance of his massive head through the fisheye lens of a GoPro camera.
His videos of him cheering and clapping as trains go past have made him a viral sensation with millions of fans and views online.
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Earlier this year, he even took the dancefloor at Manchester’s very own Warehouse Project as an invited guest by co-founder Sacha Lord.
But, recently, news that Francis Bourgeois was not all that he seemed to be hit the internet.
It has been claimed that records from Public Companies House show Francis’s real name was in fact Luke Nicolson.
As the sole director of his company Francis Bourgeois Limited, which was set up in December, the news was tough to bear for some.
On Twitter, Charlotte Fisher wrote: “Somebody please tell me the Uk’s most wholesome person, Francis Bourgeois, is not really a phoney called Luke.”
Twitter user @BeingCallum wrote: “Not afraid to admit I fully believed it was plausible for an English guy to be called Francis Bourgeois.”
Alex Elmslie added: “Francis Bourgeois is real to me.”
While Eliza McCurray put it ever so poignantly by writing: “Finding out Santa isn’t real < finding out Francis bourgeois is really called luke Nicholson :(“
The news also revealed the fact that the 21-year-old student, who studies at the University of Nottingham, also works as a model and is represented by Brother modelling agency.
But, thankfully, despite all of these potentially earth-shattering revelations, people are still huge fans of the TikTok sensation.
@shahedezaydi said: “Not people calling Francis Bourgeois the next Keith Lemon?! his real name was made public ages ago.
“A man can love trains as well as dress ‘normal’ and go to warehouse project lol”
While @indiaysabel added: “Nah sorry I’m actually the number one member of the Francis Bourgeois defence this evening”.
Róisín Lanigan wrote: “I will defend Francis bourgeois with everything I have bc I too am a hot person who also really loves trains. We exist”
@NearDtMi said: “Being shocked that Francis Bourgeois isn’t his real name is a bit like me at 5 years old discovering that the wrestling fella wasn’t actually called Rey Mysterio.”
@HullHistoryNerd said: “Wow. Honestly can't believe people are ragging on Francis Bourgeois for a) using a fake name on the internet and b) daring to have a girlfriend and other interests whilst also being really into trains.”
Another added: “Luke Nicolson on the streets, Francis Bourgeois in the sheets.”
Addressing comments that he could not be all as he seems in a previous video, Francis said: "Recently I've seen a lot of comments saying that I'm just a character or that I don't really like train.
"Well, I'm going to take you back to where it all started. Where my passion for trains was founded – Willesden Junction.
"Here me and my dad used to sit at the platform at the weekends and as I got older I got my own model train set and slowly built up an epic diorama."
He added: "Fast forward 15 years I've met awesome people like Brian and even have my own authentic '80s conductor and train driver uniform.
"I love to show you guys how awesome trains can be as well as try and make you smile, laugh and just try and bring joy.
"And as well as trainspotting I love doing other things in my life like going to festivals with my friends and having fun."
You can follow Francis Bourgeois on TikTok.
