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In March 2024, Anne Hughes arrived for her cleaning shift at the Best One store in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf, with no idea that she was about to become an unlikely viral sensation. At 72 years old, Anne found herself unexpectedly in the spotlight after a CCTV clip captured a surprising incident involving the shop’s shutters. The video showed her being lifted into the air by her coat as the shutters were raised, sending the moment rapidly around TikTok and sparking widespread attention.
The 31-second footage, originally posted on the store’s TikTok account, quickly racked up millions of views. Despite the overwhelming attention, Anne was initially hesitant to engage with the media. Eventually, however, she agreed to share her story with the BBC, which was the only news outlet she felt comfortable speaking to on camera. During a phone recording, Anne described the moment when her coat snagged and she was pulled upward, “I was screaming the owner of the shop’s name, but he couldn’t hear me. Thank goodness he finally heard me.” Reflecting on her ordeal with good humor, she also admitted her grandchildren often asked why she was still clutching her trolley during the incident, a question she couldn’t quite answer herself.
Following the viral fame, I had the chance to meet Anne and form a warm friendship. She was kind, funny, and more than a bit reluctant about her newfound celebrity. To acknowledge her unexpected stardom, I gave her a thank-you card with “you’re a star” printed on the front, a gesture she appreciated even if she wasn’t fond of the attention. The moment also inspired local street artist Tee2Sugars to create a mural of the famous scene on the store shutters, which Anne described with a wry smile as “beautiful.” Before the mural went up, Anne kindly agreed to one final on-camera interview beside the artwork, joking that it was “only because I like you,” and reminding me not to forget her seasonal cards.
Tragically, Anne passed away later that year. Her granddaughter Lily reached out to share the sad news with BBC Wales and expressed gratitude for the joy Anne’s story had brought. “Thank you for making her smile,” Lily wrote, a reminder of Anne’s lasting impact on those who followed her story. Though Anne only reluctantly embraced the spotlight, her funny and uplifting story resonated with millions, and it was an honor to have made her smile in return. This article has been published with the full blessing of Anne’s family
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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