A GRANDAD from the Isle of Wight has become a Covid-19 lockdown internet sensation.
Martyn Waitt, 82, from Shalfleet, is the founder and leader of the Shalfleet Shanty Singers.
Scroll down for a link to Martyn's TikTok channel...
With a lifelong passion for sea shanties and motivated by the recent resurgence of interest in them on music and dance social media platform TikTok, he wrote and recorded a humorous pro-vaccine Covid-19 song, based on the trending Wellerman shanty.
Martyn clocked up nearly 400,000 views in the first four days, plus thousands of followers.
He has been overwhelmed by the bombardment of positive and funny comments from fellow TikTokkers.
Even his teenage granddaughter, an avid TikTokker herself, has been impressed by the number of comments, likes and views he’s received.
Martyn said: “I loved seeing sea shanties trend on the TikTok platform recently. It’s great to see a new generation of people liking shanties, it’s a great way to learn from stories about the past.
"It restored my faith in the youth seeing how creative and joyful they can be on the platform.”
As a follow up, he wrote and posted his own Covid-19 Shanty about the benefits of getting the vaccine, which received more than 280,000 views and 10,000 followers in itsfirst 48 hours on the site.
Martyn served in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 12 years and helped administer thousands of vaccines, stopping the spread of malaria and smallpox in Africa.
He is worried misinformation may stop people having the Covid jab.
Both Martyn and his wife, who recently celebrated 50 years of marriage, have had theirs.
Martyn added: “It’s been a tough period for everyone, especially scary for us older folk.
"If I can help the NHS through raising awareness of the importance of having the vaccine by singing a few sea shanties, that’s great!”
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