Spudman, whose real name is Ben Newman, “chipped” in with Smokey Mose Hot Potatoes, a Bournemouth-based jacket potato food retailer who opens shop in Bournemouth Square each Sunday, to serve customers throughout the day on Sunday, April 5.
With the queue filed all the way up from the Smokey Mose’s food truck in the Square to Tap & Tandoor in Richmond Hill, some people arrived before sunrise and waited more than four hours.
Spudman (Image: NQ)
Spudman said: “Smokey’s a good mate of time. He’s helped me out a load of times and come and jumped on our wagon, so it was long overdue to pay the favour back.
“It’s nuts, mate, honestly. Even just coming out of the hotel there was people and, like ‘can we have a selfie?’”
Smokey Mose (Image: NQ)
Smokey Mose, real name David Moseley, said he was looking forward to the day ahead.
He joked the council got a “little bit worried” due to the number of people who were expected to show up but events like this were good for the community.
“The buzz of having lots of people is just a great feeling,” added Smokey.
“People are always happy at these things; they literally make friends in the queue.”
Spudman and Smokey pair have known each other since 2021 and collaborated on a handful of occasions before.
“They’re just my mates and I want to go and help them out,” Spudman said.
“It’s hard at the moment. Catering is a hard game. Prices are high, people ain’t travelling.”
The queue went all the way up to Tap & Tandor on Richmond Hill (Image: NQ)
“It’s gonna be a really good say,” added Smokey.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Charlie queued from 4am and was first to buy a spud on Easter Sunday (Image: NQ)
Charlie, 14, from Bournemouth was first in the queue, arrived at 4am.
“It’s been alright,” Charlie said of waiting all that time.
“I’ve met a few people on the way, nice people.”
After a six hour and 23 minute wait, Charlie finally got his hands on a tuna, mayo, cheese and crispy onion jacket potato, as well as a free Smokey Mose goody-bag.
Lisa, second in the queue, joined at 4.30 am (Image: NQ)
Behind him in the queue was Lisa, from Christchurch, who arrived a 4.30am readily prepared with a “jacket” and camping chair.
“It was really cold and windy this morning and dark, but the sun’s come out and it’s lovely now,” she said.
Joe joined the queue at 5.55am (Image: NQ)
Joe, from Bournemouth, arrived at 5.55am and said he was here for both Spudman and Smokey but the “great people” and “great experience” made it worth the wait.
Slightly further back in the queue was Chris, also from Bournemouth, who joined at 7.30am said he arrived as early as he did to beat the queue.
When asked what sets the potatoes apart from others, Chris said: “I think it’s just the person, isn’t it?
“The vibe he brings.”
Aaron, from Ferndown, said he had been to the Square for the past two Sundays to get spuds from Smokey Mose, but arrived at 6am for chance to try their potato pals collaboration.