Title:Friends Inspires LAD's 'Princess Consuela Banana Hammock' Name Change
Rating:5
Tags:Deed Poll, Passport, Idiot, Funny, Story
Country:United Kingdom
Graphic Content Categories:Brand Safe
Description:"Have you ever watched something on TV and wanted to copy it yourself? Let's face it, we've all thought about how much fun it would be to slide down the stairs on a sledge, Home Alone-style. But what about changing your name by deed poll to include 'Princess Consuela Banana Hammock', just like Phoebe from Friends? Is that taking things a little too far? Well, I'm pleased to be able to introduce you to Ricky Princess Consuela Banana Hammock Reigns. Got a nice ring to it, right? The 30-year-old was inspired during a 'lazy day' Friends-athon with his mates. The group were having a few beers and before they knew it, Ricky was imitating the name change scene. The scene in question is from the episode 'The One With Princess Consuela', which originally aired on 26 February 2004, and sees the zany Phoebe Buffay intending to change her surname after her wedding to Mike Hannigan. When she turns up to complete the necessary paperwork, the man behind the desk tells her she can change her name to 'anything you want'. It's safe to say she grabs the opportunity with both hands, rejecting her initial choice of 'Phoebe Buffay' in favour of the aforementioned 'Princess Consuela Banana Hammock'. Well, why not? Speaking to LADbible about his own wacky decision, Ricky said: "The lazy day turned into a few drinks and a takeaway then a few more drinks and the episode came on where Phoebe changes her name to Princess Consuela Banana Hammock and I had a light-bulb moment (vodka induced)." I'm not sure whether that's what I would refer to as a 'light-bulb moment'. He continued: "My friend Googled 'change name by deed poll', so I did what I needed to do and it ended up in a phone call. I asked if it was the same as in America [where] you can change your name to anything you want." Luckily, the guy at the other end of the line said yes, 'as long as it isn't offensive', and as our hero explained: "So I said 'Ricky Princess Consuela Banana Hammock Reigns'." He continued: "[The guy] just laughed and asked if I was serious. I said yes and the rest is history. It doesn't bother me that much really, apart from when I have to give my full title. Mainly telephone banking - I just say Ricky Reigns and they always ask for my full title, so I say it under my breath and wait for a giggle every time. "There's also a paragraph in my passport basically saying I'm not a real princess and I shouldn't get any preferential treatment at the airport." And when it came to Ricky's logic with the 'Reigns' part of his name, he said: "I wanted something that rolled off my tongue." Can't argue with that. Despite the jokes surrounding his name, there is a more serious reason behind Ricky's decision to make the change. He told LADbible: "Basically, I didn't want my dad's family name. It had been on my mind for a while but I never did anything about it. "I am gay and my dad hates the fact I am. It was just two fingers to him, basically." Well, fair enough then. What a guy."
