Sunderland youngster Teddy goes viral with love of washing machines

Teddy Gillespie, three, from Red House, loves the household appliance so much that Currys in Deptford has become his favourite place to go.

So much so, that mam Rachael Atkinson and her friend had a purple polo shirt printed with his name and ‘washing machine expert’ so he could look like one of the staff members.

Mum-of-two Rachael posted about Teddy’s love of washing machines on her TikTok two days ago and it’s struck a chord, being viewed more than 600,000 times and counting - and has even been spotted by the Currys’ social media team.

Dance teacher Rachael, who runs RA Dance Academy in Southwick, said: “It all started when he was about one. He sat in front of the washing machine one day and was just mesmerised by the spinning and he sat there for the whole 40 minutes.

“He’s loved them ever since and going to Currys is like Christmas Day for him - it’s hard to get him out of there.”

Rachael, who is also mum to Ada, four months, said: “We got him the t-shirt for Christmas and have taken him into Currys wearing it - all the workers there love it. They even gave him his own Currys lanyard.

“I only got my Tik Tok back after Christmas as it got hacked. The video of Teddy is only the second video I’ve posted since then. I woke up and it was on 70,000 views and now it’s close to 600,000.

“The comments have been lovely. I can’t believe how many people’s pre-school children also love washing machines and other household appliances.

“Even the Currys accounts have commented saying he’s a little legend. I’ve read out the comments to him and he loves it.”