The men behind meme sensation Four Lads In Jeans have recreated the photo that launched them to internet stardom in 2020, posing in the same outfits they wore in their original photo to appear in a new advert for betting company Paddy Power .
The hilarious advert, starring actor Danny Dyer, promotes Euro 2024. Actor Danny, 46, had a few pints and unleashed his now iconic cockney rhyming slang as he joins Peter Crouch, 43, in the new e hysterical commercial before the next tournament in Germany.
As the countdown to the much-anticipated tournament began, Danny stripped down to his swimsuit in the advert boasting England’s unique position as favorites to win the tournament.
Dodgy behavior abroad, Christmas fashion rubbish and the less-than-perfect Brexit process were playfully mocked as figures across Europe were questioned about their love for the English.
In a segment in which an Italian woman jokes that England is her favorite because of the “effortless style” of the English, the shot cuts to the four guys in their now-infamous outfits, before she is heard saying “Mammia mia “, after seeing them.
Kevin Rooney, Alex Lacey, Jamie Phillips and Connor Humpage in the 2020 photo that made them an internet meme
Jamie Phillips, Connor Humpage, Kevin Rooney and Alex Lacey became unknowingly famous after posting a photo of themselves at a ‘drunken brunch with the boys’ in Birmingham wearing tight jeans and tight tops.
Speaking recently about their internet fame, the four friends explained that while they rose to infamy for wearing skinny jeans, they were initially quite confused by all the attention.
Connor Humpage said: “We literally went to a drunk brunch with a guy and asked a stranger to take a photo of us and suddenly it went viral.”
“And what people don’t know is that the photo had already appeared before it became a meme, so it was a shock to all of us.”
“And we didn’t understand it, we were just wearing what everyone else was wearing at the time.”
“People have said we were behind and wondered why we were wearing skinny jeans for so long, but they only see a snapshot.
“We basically stopped wearing skinny jeans as soon as the photo came out because fashion had changed.”
The notoriety provided a number of opportunities for the four: for example, they appeared in advertising campaigns for McDonald’s and Sony’s noise-canceling headphones, as well as appearing on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
The ‘four boys’ recreate their 2020 photo in new Paddy Power advert (pictured left to right: Kevin Rooney, Alex Lacey, Jamie Phillips and Connor Humpage)
They appeared during the 2022 Brit Awards in a parody alongside comedian and host of the night Jack Whitehall.
Additionally, they have been photographed with prolific people including football legend and commentator Chris Kamara and bodybuilder Martyn Ford.
Perhaps most notable of all, in August 2022, the four boys were honored with a statue at the location where the famous photo was taken.
Created by artist William Douglas, also known as Tat Vision, it was launched outside All Bar One in Grand Central, Birmingham.
According to the artist who did the unveiling, he made the piece from female mannequins in tight clothing, before adding paper mache and PVA glue and covering it all in bronze paint.
Ahead of the grand opening, the artist wrote on his Instagram page: “Come and see the bronze statue of my four boys in jeans (on) Saturday outside All Bar One Grand Central.”
‘A tribute to these boys inspired by ancient Greek statues. These four men ready for an adventure like the first part of Homer’s Odyssey, before the adventure.’
The Paddy Power advert makes a joke about how English people are viewed abroad and includes this clip of Danny Dyer ordering egg and chips while on holiday in Spain.
Although they have now learned to enjoy the fame and lean on the jokes, all four men admitted that being unexpectedly catapulted into the spotlight four years ago took its toll.
For example, plumber and heating engineer Alex Lacey found himself constantly battling a barrage of prank calls and trolls after his work number became known.
And things got worse when trolls discovered her mother’s Instagram account and started commenting on photos.
“They trolled my mom, they got her Instagram and they were commenting and trolling and making things up about me,” Adam said.
At the time of speaking, he was due to get married in a couple of weeks and said the situation had been “difficult” for his fiancée, adding: “At the end of the day, we all still have our day jobs, you know. “I’m a plumber.
Tattoo artist Connor had a mixed experience after the photo became an internet meme, as after the initial photo, he discovered that his business had improved with the help of social media.
“I had people come up to me and say, ‘I didn’t know you did tattoos,'” he said.
The commercial also shows former England player Peter Crouch, 43, wearing an England flag and hat.
“They came to my social media pages and commented ‘I came for the meme, I stayed for the tattoos’ and it was nice, but I also felt like I was still linked to that photo.
“But yeah, I think people think we’re just the meme and they don’t treat you like people.”
And he added: “It was hard, you went and heard people laughing and pointing behind your back.”
Teammate Kevin Rooney agreed, adding: “Yeah, no one would say anything to our faces, just behind our backs.” “It’s really just internet trolling.”
However, now the Paddy Power advert has become another opportunity for the men, following their rise to internet fame.
In addition to featuring the four boys, the commercial takes a gentle dig at the English, joking about how their football fans are viewed abroad.
However, at the end of the advert, the 46-year-old actor reveals that he is nervous about England’s chances in the upcoming tournament.
One part of the advert shows Danny Dyer sitting by a pool in Spain, looking at a menu, before ordering “egg and chips”, and then saying to the camera: “Keep running, we’re not that bad, are we?” .
Another section of the commercial shows Peter Crouch sporting a huge England flag and matching hat, shouting, “Come home!”
But despite England’s apparent advantage in the competition, the advert ended with Danny admitting: “I’m blocking it correctly right now.”
Since dominating Italy 3-1 in the European Qualifier overnight, England consolidates itself as 4/1 favorite with Sky Bet to win Euro 2024 in Germany.
Gareth Southgate’s team were previously joint favorites with France at 9/2; However, with the Three Lions boasting their best team in the last two decades, including the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, there is confidence in the betting. market that this is the team that can finally take home its first European trophy.
