Francis Bourgeois, the popular trainspotter announced as a replacement host for The Grand Tour, was not born with that name. The social media star was born Luke Magnus Nicolson in July 2000 to an NHS worker mother and photographer teacher father.
He will star in the new series of The Grand Tour alongside Thomas Holland and James Engelsman. The show was previously presented by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
Reasons Behind the Name Change
Over the years, Francis has given various reasons for changing his name. Early rumours suggested he borrowed it from Sir Peter Francis Lewis Bourgeois, an 18th-century court painter to King George III. However, the star, who has also worked as a model, later revealed he chose Francis because he "likes France and the way they do trains". His surname was inspired by a sculpture exhibition by Louise Bourgeois that he visited with his father.
Privacy and Protection
Another reason Francis changed his name was to feel "more protected" while making videos for social media, after being bullied at school for his trainspotting hobby. He told The Guardian: "I was applying for my fourth-year work placement [at university] and the university staff told me potential employers might search my name. I didn't want to have to worry about that, I'd been to a Hauser & Wirth exhibition in Somerset and saw some work by Louise Bourgeois."
He added: "I didn't think it would get to a point where anyone would know me by it. It's not a character. But I quite like it now – when someone shouts Francis it's not so overwhelming – I know what to expect."
