Thousands gathered across central London on the evening of 30th June as lookalikes of some of Britain’s best-known personalities boarded an open-top sightseeing bus to mark the return of The Original Tour, the world’s first hop-on hop-off sightseeing operator, as it celebrates 75 years of helping visitors discover the very best of London.
Lookalikes of David Beckham (Mark Woodward), King Charles III (Guy Carter), Ed Sheeran (Ty Jones), Joanna Lumley (Sue Bradbury), Gordon Ramsay (Martin Jordan) and Mr Bean (Nigel Dixon) travelled through the capital aboard one of The Original Tour’s buses, surprising guests on board and drawing smiles from crowds as they passed many of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Cameras, phones and plenty of double takes captured the unexpected celebration, creating memorable moments throughout the journey. One onlooker in Piccadilly Circus, who spotted the Ed Sheeran lookalike during The Original Tour’s celebration, said, “Oh my gosh, it’s really him!”
Meanwhile, a group of young lads who saw the Gordon Ramsay actor on the top deck of The Original Tour’s bus shouted, “Come on Gordon, give us a wave!” The David Beckham actor was popular among World Cup fanatics and was even spotted taking photos with young fans.
Departing from Piccadilly Circus, the tour passed Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and many other iconic landmarks, bringing together Britain’s best-known faces and some of the country’s most iconic locations in one uniquely British sightseeing experience.
Authentic reactions were captured as guests encountered the celebrity lookalikes while discovering London’s famous landmarks. The event celebrated the relaunch by showcasing the fun, heritage and unmistakably British character that has attracted visitors to the capital for generations.
From drivers to operations staff, attendees heard first-hand stories from members of The Original Tour team, including General Manager of The Original Tour, Terry Gabriel; Former Owner and Travel Expert at The Original Tour, Leon Daniels; and Jez York, who has been a Tour Host at The Original Tour since 2005. Their combined decades of experience have helped millions of visitors discover the capital, offering a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the people who bring London’s history to life every day.
Following the return to its historic name, The Original Tour continues to offer visitors a choice of sightseeing experiences designed to help them explore London at their own pace. Tours feature multilingual audio commentary available in 10 languages, allowing guests to explore the capital in a flexible and accessible way. A Thames River Cruise is also included with every ticket, adding a perspective from the iconic waterway of the city’s iconic skyline.
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Credit: PA Media
Jez York, one of The Original Tour’s longest-serving drivers who has spent over a decade bringing London’s history and stories to life, reflected on how no two tours are ever the same and how moments like today show the city at its best.
“I’ve been sharing London’s stories with visitors for more than 15 years, and every tour is different because every group brings its own energy and curiosity. Seeing guests laughing, taking photos with the lookalikes and discovering the stories behind London’s landmarks today was a wonderful reminder that sightseeing is about much more than seeing famous places. It’s about creating memories that people take home with them.”
Terry Gabriel, General Manager at The Original Tour, said the celebration marked a return to the company’s roots while highlighting its continued role in helping visitors experience London through its landmarks, stories and people.
“The Original Tour has always been about helping people experience the very best of Britain through the story of London. As we celebrate 75 years since our very first tour, today’s event brought together many of the things visitors love most about this country, from its tallest buildings and famous faces to the unforgettable sights that make a trip to London so special. We’re incredibly proud to be writing the next chapter in The Original Tour’s story while continuing to welcome visitors from around the world.”
Bringing together Britain’s best-known personalities, London’s iconic attractions and the people who have spent decades welcoming visitors to the capital, the celebration marked the homecoming of one of London’s most iconic experiences in fitting style. As The Original Tour enters its next chapter, the message continues to be that discovering London is about far more than seeing the sights. It’s about experiencing the people, places and stories that reflect the spirit of one of the world’s most iconic cities.