Groovy, baby! Returning officer who has set the internet alight with her 'Austin Powers-style' purple outfit and incredible hat is hero teacher who lives in historic hall

A returning officer has set the internet alight by announcing tonight's results in an eye-catching hat and cravat which prompted comparisons to Austin Powers.

Lucia Bridgeman is a recently-appointed High Sheriff hailed for her teaching work and who lives in a historic hall - and tonight amused and delighted viewers tuning in to TV coverage of the general election.

She appeared twice on screen, first to declare the second result of the night -Ian Lavery's victory for Labour in Blyth and Ashington in Northumberland.

She later came back to announce Emma Foody's Labour win in Cramlington and Killingworth - with BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg telling viewers: 'The returning officer with an incredible hat is back at the lectern.'

Mrs Bridgeman was named in March this year as High Sheriff of Northumberland - a role her father held in 1976, while her grandfather was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire 11 years earlier.

She was officially installed at a ceremony in Holy Trinity Church, Embleton, the following month - receiving a badge of office from predecessor Diana Barkes.

The traditional outfit she wears on public duties attracting plenty of attention when revealed to the nation in tonight's election coverage - with repeated comparisons made to Mike Myers's 1960s comedy movie creation Austin Powers.

The character's catchphrases such as 'Groovy, baby' and 'Shagadelic' were quoted by posters on X, formerly Twitter, alongside screenshots of Mrs Bridgeman - as well as photos of Ricky Gervais's David Brent dressed as Austin Powers in The Office.

There were also joking references to Mary Poppins, Salem witch trial judges and teh Quaker Oats Company's 'Quaker Man' logo on cereal boxes.

Viewers also expressed their admiration for her look - and said it set a new high standard for other returning officers to live up to.

Comments included 'The Returning Officer in Blyth served Austin Powers campery in this election countery!', 'When you’re the returning officer at 11 but have an austin powers fancy dress party at 12' and 'Why has the Blyth returning officer come as Austin Powers??'

Others wrote, 'When you’re a returning officer in Blyth at 11 & presiding over a Salem witch trial at midnight' and 'When you’re the returning officer for Blyth but you’re also in the business of instant oats'.

A Mary Poppins nod came in the contribution: 'Returning officer from Blyth just returning from reuniting children with their banker father following a musical sojourn with local chimney sweeps.'

An admirer hailed her, saying: 'Hats off to the #returningofficer from #Blyth. The gauntlet has been thrown. Returning officers declaring seats at 4am have time to raise their game.'

Stand-up comedian Hal Cruttenden asked, 'Why is the Blyth returning officer in fancy dress?', while another commenter declared: 'Hat Of The Night Award goes to the Blyth & Ashington returning officer Lucia Bridgeman.'

Her duties as High Sheriff of Northumberland involve offering support to judges, magistrates and other law and order groups, as well as the emergency services and charities working with young people. 

When her appointment was announced in March, she was described as someone with 'a longstanding commitment to teaching' - and who had engaged with pupils, asylum seekers and people helped by the Country Trust charity.

She said at the time: 'It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the work that is being done by a huge number of people, so many of them volunteers, involved in small organisations throughout Northumberland.

'People who put their heart and soul into often little-known activities deserve praise and support for the tremendous impact they can make.

'It's a privilege to take on this role and to give recognition to so many individuals who work under-the-radar supporting young people and law and order in this wonderful county.'

Mother-of-four Mrs Bridgeman moved to the county 18 years ago, moving into 18th century Fallodon Hall, near Alnwick in Northumberland, with husband Mark Bridgeman.

She previously spoke to The English Home magazine about their efforts to restore the property which her husband inherited from his family, with his grandfather having bought it in the 1930s.

She said in 2019: 'We treasure the house. We feel very much honour-bound to keep it in his memory.

'We don’t claim to be anything grand or special, but this house has significance, in a small way, and we cherish that.'

Some parts of the property date back to the 1660s before an overhaul in the 1720s, with future residents include Charles, the 2nd Earl Grey - said to have given his name to the make of tea.