Comedy icon Jim Moir, better known as Vic Reeves, was left completely ignored by London commuters after attempting a daring stunt swinging from a Tube carriage handrail, with not a single passenger batting an eyelid at the 66-year-old entertainer’s antics.
The surreal comedian, who shot to fame alongside Bob Mortimer in shows like Vic Reeves Big Night Out and Shooting Stars, posted a video to Instagram showing himself clinging to an overhead rail and attempting to reach the other side with his feet whilst fellow passengers scrolled on their phones, utterly oblivious to the British television legend in their midst.
Moir captioned the video: “They said it couldn’t be done by a 66 year old geezer. And to be honest, I shouldn’t have. But I did.” However, his attention-seeking stunt spectacularly backfired as London commuters remained completely unimpressed, with many continuing to look at their phones or impatiently waiting for their next stop without acknowledging the performer’s presence.
Fans Blast ‘Gross’ Behaviour
The comedy veteran’s Instagram followers were quick to condemn his actions, with many describing the stunt as “gross” and accusing him of behaving like an “overgrown teenager.” The backlash was swift and harsh, with fans expressing disgust at his behaviour on public transport.
“Because there’s not enough filth on London Transport handles already. The bloke needs to grow up and stop playing to the camera!” one furious follower wrote. Another simply fumed: “Grow up!”
A third concerned fan added: “Huge fan but come on, people/kids have to use that rail now your shoes have been all over it.” Others were equally scathing, with one commenting: “Bloody vandal,” whilst a fifth said: “How dare you soil our poles!”
The criticism highlights how even beloved entertainers can face public backlash when their behaviour is deemed inappropriate, particularly on public transport where hygiene concerns have become increasingly prominent in recent years.
From Jungle Misery to Comedy Legacy
Moir’s latest attention-grabbing attempt comes nearly two decades after his memorable stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2004, where he entered the Australian jungle as a surprise contestant after his wife, Nancy Sorrell, had already joined the camp. His time in the jungle was notably miserable; after Nancy was voted out, he began actively asking viewers to vote him out, which they promptly did.
The Leeds-born entertainer, who celebrates his 66th birthday this year, built his career on surreal comedy alongside partner Bob Mortimer. Their iconic partnership began in the late 1980s when Mortimer attended Moir’s stage show at Goldsmiths Tavern in New Cross, London, and soon began participating in the performances.
Together, they created some of British television’s most beloved and bizarre comedy shows, including Vic Reeves Big Night Out (1990-1991), Shooting Stars (1993-2011), and The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer. Their work earned them recognition as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy by The Observer in 2003, and they were voted the ninth-greatest comedy act ever by fellow comedians in a 2005 poll.
End of an Era for Vic and Bob
Despite their legendary status, Moir revealed last year that he and Mortimer “never really speak” anymore and routinely turn down all offers to work together. “We never really speak much. Bob and I have never been ones for talking on the phone,” he admitted, adding he only sees his former partner “now and then” for occasional chats.
The comedian has since declared he is “done” with his comedy alter-ego Vic Reeves, choosing instead to focus on his first love: art. Under his real name, Jim Moir, he has become a prolific painter, producing artwork almost daily and exhibiting at prestigious venues including the Royal Academy in London.
His artistic work, characterised by bold, vibrant colours and often surreal subject matter, particularly focuses on British birds and landscapes. In 2023, he premiered a Sky Arts series called “Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir,” where he and his wife explore UK wildlife whilst he creates paintings of various bird species.
Family Goes Viral for Different Reasons
Whilst Moir’s Tube stunt failed to impress, his family has found more positive viral success on social media. His daughter Elizabeth and wife Nancy recently went viral on TikTok with a dancing video filmed in their garden, showing off their moves to a country track.
In the clip, Nancy, wearing a multi-coloured floral dress, joined her youngest child, dressed in a red striped shirt, tan trousers and ruby shoes, for an energetic dance routine on their patio. Moir could be heard behind the camera joking: “Clickerty clank, clickerty clank,” as his daughter performed.
The response to the family video was markedly different from his Tube stunt, with viewers praising their sense of humour. One user wrote: “All got that great sense of humour. Must wake up happy everyday coz they have each other.” Another commented: “And that’s when you know this is Vic Reeves’ daughter!”
Personal Life and Current Focus
Moir met Nancy Sorrell in the early 2000s following his divorce from first wife Sarah Vincent, with whom he has two children. The couple married in January 2003 in a low-key ceremony and welcomed daughter Elizabeth in 2004, followed by twin girls in May 2006. The family now lives in Charing, near Ashford in Kent.
In September 2021, Moir revealed he had been diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma, a benign brain tumour, adding another challenge to his later years. Despite this health scare, he has continued his artistic pursuits with enthusiasm, maintaining an active presence on social media where he regularly shares his paintings and has amassed over 293,000 followers on his main Instagram account.
The Tube incident serves as a reminder that even comedy legends can misjudge their audience. Whilst Moir built his career on surreal, boundary-pushing humour that often divided opinion, his latest stunt appears to have crossed a line for many fans who expect better behaviour from a 66-year-old grandfather on public transport.
As one follower succinctly put it: “The bloke needs to grow up and stop playing to the camera.” Whether this backlash will prompt more considered behaviour from the veteran entertainer remains to be seen, but it certainly demonstrates that not all publicity is good publicity, even for someone who once made their living from outrageous comedy.
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