Man who changed his name to 'Fire Exit' declares 'there's nobody more famous than me'

A man who changed his name to Fire Exit by deed poll says his unusual name follows him wherever he goes, and claims "there's nobody more famous than me."

Fire Exit, previously known as Deano Wilson, has opened up about what it's like having his "name up in lights", remarking, "It’s funny thinking that my name is illuminated somewhere every day, across the globe."

The 41-year-old audio and visual installation engineer initially changed his name as a joke, but it has since brought him some fame, leading to meet and greets where people bring along their own fire exit signs for him to sign.

According to Fire Exit, his girlfriend is now sick of the sight of fire exits, and he admits "there are more fire exit signs than plastic bags in our house."

Fire Exit legally changed his name by deed poll (Jam Press)

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Fire Exit, who lives in Hampshire, says: "There’s nobody more famous than me. I’m the only person whose name is still up in lights… even after a power cut!

"I’ve even had meet and greets where I just show up and sign people’s fire exit signs. They said it would be like a George Foreman grill, the exit sign with my signature at the bottom. Endorsed by Fire Exit.”

When at work, Fire Exit says his mates love telling people who he is, and he claims he can't go anywhere without people pointing his name out above doors.

Fans will even bring Fire Exit signs for him to sign (Jam Press)

Explaining why exactly he chose to legally change his name, Fire Exit revealed: "I tell people, I might be called Fire Exit but I can certainly make an Entrance!

“It’s not about fame, it's more the comedy factor for me. The funniest things to come out of it comes from the haters, not the lovers. It’s incredible the number of different kinds of reactions people have.

“It’s all about comedy and how far you can take the joke. When I tell the story [of my name], it’s seeing the different reactions I get that I find interesting."

Considering the various reactions he's had, Fire Exit continued: "I have been ignored, I’ve been laughed at, I’ve had confused reactions.

"It’s no one thing. I’ve been high-fived, I've even been asked numerous times to take selfies under fire exit signs. I just love comedy. I love how people work and all the different kinds of responses I get.”

Do you have an unusual name? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com