Luke Magnus Nicolson[1][2][3] (born 9 July 2000[4][5]), known as Francis Bourgeois, is an English trainspotter, social media personality, model, and author.
[6][7] Bourgeois is often characterised as recording himself through the fisheye lens of a GoPro mounted in front of his face[8][9][10] or by juxtaposing trainspotting with contemporary fashion.
[14][15][16] After several of his videos went viral, Bourgeois began collaborating with celebrities such as Joe Jonas and brands including Gucci and The North Face.
"[9] Bourgeois credits his Year 11 teacher for discouraging him from acting mischievously, and as a result, he began to excel in algebra and A-Level physics, which would set him on a path to pursue mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham.
[5] He was hired by Rolls-Royce[9] and briefly worked at a car factory in Portsmouth, but resigned in November 2021 following his social media growth.
[32][33][13][12] Given the perception amongst his school peers that trainspotting was uncool, he explained that his pseudonym allowed him to "feel a bit more protected" when making videos.
When he was applying for his fourth-year work placement, the university staff informed him that potential employers might search his name, and this is not something he wanted to worry about.
[10][36] Later that month, Bourgeois appeared with Josie Gibson on the ITV daytime magazine programme This Morning to discuss the success of his TikTok videos.
[30] In January 2022, he signed with the Books division of YMU, an international talent management company,[38] and he became a brand ambassador for GB Railfreight.
[40][41] After experiencing a surge in popularity, Joe Jonas contacted Bourgeois; on 12 January 2022, the two picnicked[12] and went trainspotting in rural Milton Keynes.
[42][43] Thereafter, he began posting other collaborations to social media alongside Rosalía, Thierry Henry in a Puma advert,[44] and Sam Fender.
[49] Over the summer, Bourgeois spoke at an Advertising Week Europe gathering about creating content that resonates with Gen Z audiences,[50] and he partnered with TikTok for Business to advise users on growing their brands.
[53][54] On 8 May 2022, Bourgeois was sponsored by Williams Racing to attend the 2022 Miami Grand Prix, meeting Alex Albon and Lando Norris.
In late July 2022, he participated in Ben Ainslie's safety training and operated a catamaran at the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth.
Throughout October and November 2022, Channel 4 released the five-episode digital series Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, featuring Aisling Bea, Chloe Burrows, Jesse Lingard, Sam Ryder, and AJ Tracey.
[63] On 15 November 2022, Spotify unveiled the Discover List 2022, their 2nd annual showcase of 50 influential creators on the platform across five categories; Bourgeois was categorized as one of five leading "icons.
"[64][65] On 18 November 2022, Trainline launched a social campaign featuring Bourgeois and Craig David to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of traveling by train.
The campaign served to promote DIRFT, the logistics aspect of supply chain management, and the sustainability benefits of rail freight.
[81][82][83] The film, "Full Steam Ahead with Francis Bourgeois," features the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the Oakworth station, and 2MT locomotive No.
[101] In 2022, he attended Daniel Fletcher's February and September AW22 London Fashion Week runway shows,[102][103] where he met Tom Daley ten months before the two would reconvene for Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois.
[104][105][106] In June 2022, he attended a Gucci and Adidas' event at Peckham's Liberal Club commemorating a collaboration between the brands, which he promoted on TikTok prior.
[111] In November 2021, Bourgeois was invited by Sacha Lord to visit and promote Manchester's Warehouse Project, a club that caters to the rave scene.