In an exclusive revelation, Joe Thomas, one of the stars of the beloved TV series The Inbetweeners, has shared a wild and awkward anecdote from co-star Simon Bird's stag do in Cambridge. The incident involved a drunken fan dragging Thomas into the river and another exposing himself, creating a memorable yet bizarre moment during the celebrations.
The Unforgettable Stag Do Mishap
Joe Thomas, now 42, and Simon Bird, 41, who first met as students at Cambridge University, returned to the historic city for Bird's stag party ahead of his 2012 wedding. Thomas humorously pointed out that while the stag is typically the one who endures punishment, he ended up bearing the brunt of the antics.
The group decided to go punting, a traditional Cambridge activity involving boats propelled with long poles. Thomas admitted this was not his choice, but it set the stage for an unexpected encounter. As they navigated the river, a fan of The Inbetweeners on another boat, heavily intoxicated, approached them.
A Drunken Dive into the Water
"The fan came alongside our boat, completely drunk, and grabbed me," Thomas recounted. "He jumped both of us into the water, and there was this weird moment where we were just sinking. I thought, 'What's your end game here, mate? This is genuinely weird—just me and you hugging each other while we sort of drown?'"
After a brief struggle, the fan released Thomas, and they both surfaced. To their surprise, a bridge above was crowded with tourists, all filming the incident on their mobile phones. Thomas described it as a sunny day with everyone in high spirits, adding to the surreal nature of the event.
An Awkward Follow-Up Encounter
As if the river plunge wasn't enough, another fan recognized Thomas and decided to celebrate in an even more inappropriate manner. "This other lad pulled down his trousers and pants and was just there with his penis," Thomas said. "I didn't even see it, and my mate goes, 'Oh Joe, looks like there's someone over there for you!'"
Reflections on Fame and Fan Interactions
During an interview at The Comedy Rooms in Worthing over the weekend, Thomas also discussed how he is still frequently recognized by fans of The Inbetweeners. He shared that people often shout phrases from the show, such as references to Simon's ex-girlfriend Carly, or even rude comments not from the series.
"One time I was playing football with Simon Bird, and someone just shouted out, 'Your Mum's a c**t!'" Thomas recalled. "That's not a line from the show; that's just rude. Neither of our mums are c***s!"
Royal Approval and Future Projects
Thomas also touched on the royal family's appreciation for The Inbetweeners, noting that Prince William and Kate were seen laughing throughout a screening of The Inbetweeners Movie 15 years ago in Wales. When asked how he feels about the Prince seeing him in outrageous scenes, Thomas joked, "Am I more or less likely to get one of those OBE things because of that? Well, I've made an impression. I'm pleased he's seen it. He should know his bloody subjects!"
Looking ahead, Thomas expressed excitement about a potential fourth series of The Inbetweeners. He revealed that the show's writers recently bought back the rights, paving the way for new episodes. "I'm really excited. I don't know what they're doing, but I just know they're writing something, and I would really love to do it," he said. "I hope there's more because I've not got that much else to do! I do like The Inbetweeners as well!"
This stag do story highlights the unpredictable nature of fame, blending humor with the occasional awkward fan interaction, all while keeping hopes alive for more adventures with the beloved Inbetweeners cast.
