Thame pub’s ‘Lad’ video goes viral

A Thame pub has seen a video on its Facebook page, aimed at solving a case of mistaken identity,  go viral with 81,831 views in two days.

It all happened after regulars at The James Figg pub kept asking assistant pub manager, Nathan Swift, AKA Swifty, if he was the guy dancing to his favourite song by the pool in a clip from The LAD Bible which the pub had put on their Facebook page earlier in the week. https://www.facebook.com/LADbible/videos/2726256327421540/

In an act of complete selflessness, Swifty agreed to recreate the video in the pub garden wearing as little as his doppelganger does in the original clip. His version, showing him watering the new beer garden in readiness for this weekend’s bank holiday festivities, was an instant smash, getting to 64.2K views and reaching 130K people in less than 24 hours, the biggest hit the pub’s ever had. And the figures are still rising.

“It all started out as just a bit of fun, after we posted the video on the pub’s Facebook page and everyone kept asking if the Speedo-clad dancer was Swifty,” explained Goldie (Tom Goldsmith), landlord of The James Figg. “Being a big Facebook user himself, Swifty thought it would be a laugh to put the rumours to bed by doing his own version of the dance, wearing not very much at all in the pub garden if he got 500 likes. A popular face behind the bar here in the pub, and well-known in Thame where he was born and bred, he soon got them, and off he stripped.

“As soon as the post went live yesterday afternoon, it went nuts; we were getting a thousand more views every five minutes and people were talking about it right across town. I even met a regular from Wheatley who said his mate in Newcastle had seen it! It’s been the biggest post we’ve ever had as a company – and Swifty smashed it!”

“Now, people are asking how we’re going to top that,” added Goldie. “Could it be the girls’ turn next? Watch this space.”

You can see Swifty strutting his stuff by visiting The James Figg Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/figgthame/videos/500031796788131/
You can also join in the bank holiday fun this coming weekend, starting with Payday Party with DJ Kristian tomorrow night, live music with Chemical Pulse on Saturday, a Sunday Funday with music and a BBQ on Sunday ending with the Bank Holiday Bloody Mary Monday Hangover Club to finish things off.

The James Figg is at 21 Cornmarket, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2BL. Tel: 01844 260 166. www.thejamesfiggthame.co.uk  twitter: @figgthame