“Come on then Britt-Marie” gets a statue in Norrköping

“Come on then Britt-Marie, drive for the hell of it”

The viral clip with Patrik Nilsson has now been immortalized as a memory through a statue.

– It’s big, says Britt-Marie.

The year was 2008 and Patrik Nilsson, 20, was out at the pub in Norrköping. He was aware that Vimmel-tv was there.

– I knew Vimmel-tv was there. We had checked it out, me and mom. At the time, I had thought that if I ever join, I will say hello to my mother, says the now 36-year-old Patrik Nilsson.

And he got that. With a beer in hand, he pushed his way to the TV crew’s camera and said the winged words:

“I have to say hello to my mother in Linköping. Come on now Britt-Marie, drive for the hell of it!”

However, the greeting did not turn out as he intended. Nor that the clip would get over three million views and least of all that he would be praised for it 16 years later.

– Today it has landed. Yesterday was surreal. You understand that it is still big in some way, says Patrik Nilsson.

During the Friday evening, a statue was covered by outside the pub where it happened in Norrköping. This after the clip was voted one of the five best viral clips through a competition announced by the company Globalconnect.

“Glad he said hello”

Patrik was out during the weekend. The following Monday, the clip was broadcast on Vimmel-tv and it was time to show the mother. However, the reaction was not entirely successful.

– Then maybe I just thought that he was very drunk, says Britt-Marie Nilsson.

Now, however, she is happy and proud.

– It is big. I didn’t think that clip would become a cultural award and a statue. Today I am glad that he said hello to mother, says Britt-Marie.

During the Saturday evening, she and Patrik celebrate together with the LHC on TV.

– There will be some bubbles, chips and something to dip into. Patrik fixed it. He thinks it’s fun.

Continues to spread

Then, in 2008, it took a while before the clip became nationally known. But after a number of months, the fans flocked around Patrik.

– When you were out, everyone came forward, no matter how many people. For a while, many people called and wanted me to say exactly that. You have understood that it has gone viral, but you have been recognised.

The video continues to haunt him – now it has gained new momentum again for young people. But he doesn’t mind.

– I think it’s funny that you can make someone happy, says Patrik Nilsson.