Groovy, Baby! Returning Officer Sets the Internet on Fire with His ‘Austin Powers’-Themed Outfit and Hat

By Aidan Radnedge

02:53 05 Jul 2024, updated 05:48 05 Jul 2024

• Follow live coverage of this evening’s General Election Review on the MailOnline blog here

A returning officer caused an internet sensation by announcing today’s election results in an eye-catching hat and tie, sparking comparisons to Austin Powers.

Lucia Bridgeman is a recently appointed sheriff, praised for her teaching career and living in a listed building, who amused and delighted viewers watching the general election television coverage tonight.

She appeared on screen twice, once to announce the second result of the evening – Ian Lavery’s victory for Labour in Blyth and Ashington in Northumberland.

She later returned to announce Emma Foody’s Labour victory in Cramlington and Killingworth, with BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg telling viewers: “The return to power of the officer with the amazing hat is back at the podium.”

Mrs Bridgeman was appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland in March this year, a role her father held in 1976 and her grandfather was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire for 11 years before.

The official installation ceremony took place at Holy Trinity Church in Embleton the following month, when she received the badge of office from her predecessor, Diana Barkes.

The traditional outfit he wears to public duties attracted a lot of attention when it was shown during today’s election coverage, drawing comparisons to the 1960s Mike Myers comedy Austin Powers.

The character’s catchphrases, such as “Groovy, baby” and “Shagadelic”, have been quoted by users of Portal X (formerly Twitter), alongside screenshots of Ms. Bridgeman, as well as photos of David Brent (Ricki Gervais) dressed as Austin Powers on The Office.

Cereal boxes also featured humorous references to Mary Poppins, the judges of the Salem witch trials, and the Quaker Oats Company’s “Quaker Man” logo.

Viewers also expressed admiration for her appearance, stating that it set a new high standard for other returning officers to strive for.

Comments included: “Blyth Electoral Officer dressed up as Austin Powers in this constituency!”, “When you’re an Electoral Officer at 11 and you’re having an Austin Powers fancy dress party at 12,” and “Why did the Blyth Electoral Officer come dressed as Austin Powers?”

Others wrote: “When you’re an election official in Blyth at the age of 11 and you preside over the Salem witch trials at midnight” and “When you’re an election official in Blyth but also a producer of instant oatmeal.”

The article refers to Mary Poppins: “A returning Blyth constable who has just returned from a party where the children have met their banker father after a musical meeting with the local chimney sweeps.”

One admirer saluted her, saying: “Chapeau bas to the #returningofficer from #Blyth. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Returning officers who declare their places at 4am have time to raise their game.”

Comedian Hal Cruttenden asked: “Why is Blyth’s electoral officer in drag?”, while another commenter stated: “The Hat Of The Night award goes to Blyth & Ashington’s electoral officer, Lucia Bridgeman.”

As Sheriff of Northumberland, her duties include providing support to magistrates, bailiffs and other law and order groups, as well as the emergency services and charities working with young people.

When her appointment was announced in March, she was described as having a “long commitment to teaching” – who had been involved in working with pupils, asylum seekers and people helped by the charity Country Trust.

She said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the work of a huge number of people, many of whom are volunteers, involved in small organisations across Northumberland.”

People who put their heart and soul into often little-known endeavors deserve praise and support for the enormous impact they can make.

“It is an honour to serve in this role and recognises the many people who work discreetly to support young people and maintain law and order in this wonderful county.”

Mother-of-four Mrs Bridgeman moved to the county 18 years ago and with her husband Mark Bridgeman moved into the 18th-century Fallodon Hall, near Alnwick in Northumberland.

She previously spoke to The English Home magazine about efforts to restore the property, which her husband inherited from his family and which his grandfather bought in the 1930s.

She said in 2019: “We take great care of this house. We feel very privileged to be able to preserve it in his memory.

“We’re not saying it’s anything big or special, but this house has some meaning to us, even if it’s small, and we value that.”

Parts of the estate date back to the 1660s, before undergoing extensive renovation in the 1720s. Among its future residents was Charles, the second Earl Grey, who is said to have given his name to a type of tea.