A train driver has been hailed for his 'best explanation ever' after he told passengers the real reason why their service was running late.
In the clip from freelancer Tom Hourigan on Twitter, the Southern Railways employee is heard informing people on a service to Crystal Palace that he is a 'spare person' - and has been brought in because a previous driver's 'misdemeanour'.
At one point he even tuts at the previous occupant of the driver's seat, who had reportedly been stopped from operating the train.
The new train driver is heard saying that the driver "had a misdemeanour earlier this afternoon, and therefore is not allowed to drive at the moment".
Explaining why he is now in charge, he says: "Unfortunately, I'm what's called a spare person - I've had to make my way from London Bridge to London Victoria, but only since half past four, so it's taken a while on the Underground to get across."
Workers 'may be handed more perks in bid to end crippling industrial action'He then goes on to apologise for the both delay and the "misdemeanour the driver had earlier this afternoon", adding that he "bets nobody is kicking himself more than he is - tut, tut, tut".
The driver then signs off with a quip about the service's scheduling, saying: "Onwards and upwards - getting you to where you need to go, eventually."
His spin on the typical railway delay message has won him fans on social media, with one user commenting: "It's so British. Love it."
But others shared a curiosity over what had taken the original driver off the service, as one person wrote: "I seriously want to know what was 'tut'-worthy about this misdemeanour and what it was?!"
While another said: "What is a “misdemeanour “? Asking for a friend."
A Southern Railway spokesperson said: "We’re sorry for the delay to passengers and glad we were able to get them on their way. Anyone delayed by 15 minutes or more can claim Delay Replay compensation through our website.