Francis is growing on me….
Posted by SALTYP33T@reddit | thegrandtour | View on Reddit | 55 comments
The more of these I watch the more I realize he’s like an autistic nephew who’s always happy and full of glee. I look forward to giving the new show a chance.
Fantastic-Fudge-6676@reddit
I find him unbearable. It’s a me challenge but there you have it. Sorry.
silentv0ices@reddit
Yep because it's not the real him it's a character he's invent for views.
Legomoron@reddit
That’s your opinion. It’s no more a “character” than whatever the original cast has been up to for literal decades at this point. It’s obviously based on his own real personality, and love of trains/cars/engineering.
Claiming Francis is completely made up just because you don’t personally enjoy him is wiiild.
silentv0ices@reddit
No it's a fact just because you are obviously obsessed with him is creepy.
Legomoron@reddit
It’s a fact is it? So you know him personally or something and can attest to the fakeness of his persona? Or you’re just blowing smoke?
silentv0ices@reddit
It's a limited company not a person. Look it up yourself. Created in 2021.
Legomoron@reddit
It is reasonably common practice these days for anyone using their own persona as primary income to have a company/corp/LLC. It’s not some crazy smoking gun that implies he’s a sham.
silentv0ices@reddit
You really are an idiot. There's no helping those who don't want to learn.
Legomoron@reddit
You really enjoy being obsessed with conspiratorial tabloid theories, don’t ya?
GeneralDread420@reddit
Francis Bourgeois not being a real person isn't a 'conspiratorial tabloid theory'.
He is as real as Ken Barlow, Peggy Mitchell or the policeman from Balamory.
GeneralDread420@reddit
Do you mean Luke? That is his name. Francis Bourgeois is as real as Ken Barlow.
AfterThrowParty@reddit
Do you have any actual evidence or reason to believe that whatsoever, or are you just being miserable about the guy because you don't like them?
Robinoo@reddit
I wish I could like him so much and i've tried but he absolutely does my head in
silentv0ices@reddit
He comes across as completly fake to me. He's playing a part.
LastTrainToLhasa@reddit
Yeah Clarkson May and Hammond weren’t fake at all…
silentv0ices@reddit
They played caricatures of themselves. Not an invented fictional character.
Legomoron@reddit
What on earth are you on about?
GeneralDread420@reddit
Francis Bourgeouis doesn't exist. He's a character played by Luke Nicholson.
silentv0ices@reddit
Try reading the thread. It's how conversations work.
SALTYP33T@reddit (OP)
He takes a minute for sure. The first time I saw his train video…I was like are we making fun of this guy…let’s give him a chance. Crap I bet James style took some getting used to. The first few seasons he’s awkward as well.
HourAcadia2002@reddit
Nah, James was self-assured immediately from his first video with his Bentley. Going against the grain, not caring if he wasn't cool.
Don't get that from Francis.
AfterThrowParty@reddit
He seems like a genuine, sweet, kind of awkward guy with a high passion for what he does, and I like that. I think he's a person you have to see the right video of to click with. He's someone that really does seem to "grow" on you as a viewer the more you watch and start to understand their quirks. He's a bit awkward, and a bit hyper obsessive, but so is James May and that's why he's an icon.
GeneralDread420@reddit
Wait til you learn it's all a character.
SALTYP33T@reddit (OP)
For real? Or some conspiracy stuff?
GeneralDread420@reddit
For real. His name is Luke Nicholson and was signed to a talent agency before he got ‘famous’.
SALTYP33T@reddit (OP)
I googled him. I see what the problem could be….Ive fringe seen his bits so much like sausage and my entire meat diet I prefer to not know how it’s made. Just as a fun debate is it any worse than some of the other influencers, actors or musicians who become alternate characters?
GeneralDread420@reddit
I don’t like the permanent characters. Something very very false about it. Imagine Bill Roache went around pretending he was Ken Barlow ALL THE TIME. It’s pretty odd.
Legomoron@reddit
I don’t really think a name change is justification to accuse him of being false. Lots of people change their name.
GeneralDread420@reddit
He hasn’t changed his name. He has adopted a full-time character in public. Like Hulk Hogan. And that was weird as fuck too
silentv0ices@reddit
He won't fuck you mate he's straight. It's not a name change it's an invented fictional persona.
LeopardComfortable99@reddit
His enthusiasm is incredibly endearing.
Stock-Row-6454@reddit
Bit weird he cosplays as an autistic guy mind
Mrsizzle96@reddit
I dont think hes cosplaying bro, i think hes legit autistic
Stock-Row-6454@reddit
As far as im aware its a character. He’s acc called Luke something and various things have been released to public about his life before the character was created
Legomoron@reddit
This is such a weird take. AFAIK he has never openly claimed to be autistic. People have some sort of beef as if he’s doing some sort of “stolen neurodivergent valor,” and their “proof” is that he changed his name???
Lots of people change their names.
silentv0ices@reddit
He never changed his name it's an invented character. When he portrays it he's acting.
AfterThrowParty@reddit
Do you have actual evidence to support this, or is this just typical internet conspiracy nonsense?
BodgeJob23@reddit
The series ‘we saved a train’ with him and Chris Harris has been a good watch. Raw infectious enthusiasm
Legomoron@reddit
Yes!
Ballamookieofficial@reddit
For all we know the real genuine person could be Francis and he's had to mask his entire life.
His enthusiasm is addictive though.
SALTYP33T@reddit (OP)
Caught up on his story. I’m still ok with it either way.
Ballamookieofficial@reddit
Me too!
_higgs_@reddit
The YT vid he did with Chris Harris where they chase the train was emotional
AmbassadorCheap3956@reddit
It was so good they got a show out it.
_higgs_@reddit
I didn’t know that. Thanks I’ll check it out
jwojnar49@reddit
Me when he was announced: “ok so he’s James I take it.”
Ell7494@reddit
He's playing a character, people found this out years ago when he first "blew up" on tiktok
SALTYP33T@reddit (OP)
Ok. Did a quick read on his development into internet star….im still going to give it a chance. May join the rest in immediately hating but neurodivergent or not his schtick is growing on me.
Gob_CL@reddit
The Grand Tour from Aliexpress it's going to be a Utter Garbage. Sorry guys, they should stay in YT. Every downvote it's a medal for me. Thanks
RLgeorgecostanza@reddit
As the boys would say, "he's a proper petrol head"
Landiemanny@reddit
And he LOVES (and knows) his engineering. The 'We saved a train' show is an utter joy.
silentv0ices@reddit
I would hope so his real identity attended Nottingham University to study mechanical engineering.
AfterThrowParty@reddit
Francis is the one I really don't know anything about. I'm familiar with the Throttle House guys, and I actually kind of like them even though I do think they're a bit bland in comparison to the trio sometimes. I have to watch more of Francis and really figure out his vibe. He seems really, really different in comparison to the Throttle House crew and to the original Trio, but that's what I find most interesting.
Serberou5@reddit
His YouTube video where he turbo charges his girlfriend's pink convertable car is a great watch.
potato_merchant@reddit
Do we know when it is likely to air?