A Mr Bean impressionist was devastated after he got banned from TikTok - for 'posing as another person to mislead others'.<br /><br />Lewis John, 27, works full time as an impersonator, and is regularly booked to attend events and do video appearances as the character played by Rowan Atkinson.<br /><br />But he was astonished when he got locked out of his account - which has 1.1million followers.<br /><br />A message from the app said he had breached rules and wasn't allowed to “pose as another real person or entity… without disclosing it” or present “as a person or entity that does not exist… with a demonstrated intent to mislead others”.<br /><br />The site told Lewis his account “cannot be restored” after he lost an appeal.<br /><br />But after it was contacted for comment, his account was restored.<br /><br />Lewis, from Grantham, Lincs., said: “It was absolutely unfair and ridiculous.<br /><br />“I joined TikTok in 2018 and went viral during the Covid lockdowns.<br /><br />“My account eventually reached one million followers but when I logged in on Tuesday I was told I had violated the community guidelines.<br /><br />“TikTok had been happy for me to express my talent for more than four years and then I was banned without a word of warning.<br /><br />“I appealed against the decision immediately but they upheld their decision.<br /><br />“I felt like I had lost a friend.<br /><br />“But one of my followers spotted my videos were back online on Wednesday morning and called me while I was shopping at Morrison’s.<br /><br />“I dropped everything to log back in and it was just absolute relief and happiness. I feel like it is such a gift.<br /><br />“I think I’ll celebrate later on with a Chinese takeaway and a livestream with my followers.<br /><br />“My next stop is to catch Rowan Atkinson’s attention.<br /><br />“My dream would be to start voicing the animated Mr Bean TV show because he doesn’t do it anymore.<br /><br />“They could be looking for a person like me who can do Rowan’s voice.”<br /><br />Lewis is a lifelong Mr Bean fan who first posted his impressions online in 2017.<br /><br />He dresses up in his iconic tweed jacket and red tie to imitate his voice and mannerisms.<br /><br />Lewis said: “When I was a kid I watched Mr Bean every day. I was a huge fan.<br /><br />“I started out on YouTube in 2017 when there were no impersonators on there able to do his voice.<br /><br />“I thought I would have a go but it wasn’t until I hit 100,000 followers on TikTok that I realised how good people thought I was.<br /><br />“I want more information from TikTok about how I was banned and how I can make sure I am completely on the right side of the rules going forward.<br /><br />“But they are so difficult to get in touch with.<br /><br />“TikTok is my full-time job. My income comes from gifts people sent me when I did a livestream.<br /><br />“It varies from month to month but it was enough to support me, my wife and our two children.<br /><br />“People loved my account and I just didn’t see what the harm was in allowing me to continue.<br /><br />“I only found out their rules on impersonation after looking them up after my ban.<br /><br />“Apparently you can only do impressions if you explicitly say in your bio that you are a parody or a fan account so I have now added that to mine.”<br /><br />TikTok declined to comment on the record.
