Our news videos on TikTok gained an incredible 5.1 million views last year. Here are ten of our most-watched videos of 2025 in case you missed them…
Despite Southwark’s population of approximately 320,000, our stories reached a much wider audience on TikTok, with viewers across the UK and as far afield as the USA.
In total, these videos received over 231,000 likes, 11,000 comments, and 56,000 shares.
Make sure to follow us at @southwarknews for more video journalism.
1) Honest John’s ‘pie and mash challenge’ at Arment’s – 661,500 views
During National Pie Week in March, we met Honest John at Arment’s pie and mash shop, just as he was taking on his ‘biggest challenge yet’.
John, who grew up on the Old Kent Road, devoured a whopping eight pies in thirty minutes. The classic Cockney dish sparked plenty of debate, dividing opinions in the comments.
Some viewers claimed they could eat even more than eight pies, while others were astonished he managed that many.
@southwarknews ? original sound – Southwark NewsRelatedarticles
2) This is what Elephant and Castle will look like in five years time- 335,300 views
CGI footage shows the dramatic transformation Elephant and Castle is set to undergo over the next five years.
The video takes viewers through the new Tube station and into the elegant new shopping district, while revealing that 485 new homes will be built above the station, 172 of which will be affordable and 3 socially rented.
Some commenters welcomed the upgrade to the town centre, which is currently in a transitional phase, while others raised concerns about the ‘gentrification’ of South London.
3) A burst pipe floods Bermondsey- 319,500 views
A burst pipe caused chaos on Ilderton Road in South Bermondsey, flooding surrounding streets.
Twenty-seven people were evacuated from their homes, while thousands were left without water.
We spoke to a local man about the impact, but he was more concerned that nearby businesses had been forced to close, including Greggs, where he had planned to have breakfast.
4) “It takes me five hours to commute from Herne Hill to Greenwich”- 290,000 views
A wheelchair user from Herne Hill has spoke to us about his frustrating commute to North Greenwich.
Nathan says the station’s lifts are “always broken”, sometimes turning what should be a 45-minute journey into one lasting almost five hours.
On some occasions, the lift is repaired only to break down again just ten minutes later. At other times, Nathan has been forced to slide down the station’s stairs on his bottom just to get from the platform.
Viewers expressed outrage in the comments, with many calling the situation unacceptable and demanding better accessibility at local stations.
5) Resident would rather sleep on the street than in his damp council flat- 266,000 views
Paul Jones, who lives directly opposite the Southwark Council offices, said it was more comfortable to sleep on the floor outside than in his council flat.
He told us that the council had failed to fix a leak in his flat for nearly six months, leaving it “colder inside than it is outside.”
Paul is filmed explaining the drastic measures he would take to escape the damp and leaking flat.
6) Is South Bermondsey Station the most dangerous in Southwark? – 218,600 views
According to the British Transport Police, South Bermondsey was named as the ‘most dangerous in Southwark’.
We spoke to commuters, with some saying they were ‘not surprised’ at the label given to the station, which has ‘bad lighting’ and ‘wasn’t manned’.
Despite the damning description, only nine crimes were reported at the station in 2023/24. But, it had the most crimes per commuter, with 2.38 per 100,000.
7) The home spreading Christmas joy to Walworth every year- 188,500 views
The Mustafa family have lit up the outside of their house for thirty years in honour of their son Alex, who was diagnosed with leukemia aged just four years old.
Alex’s life was saved by the Anthony Nolan Trust, an organisation that connects patients with life-saving stem cell donors.
You can still donate to their fundraiser here.
8) The Borough pub where you can enjoy a pint at 6am- 85,200 views
A unique pub nestled on Stoney Street, just opposite Borough Market, opens its doors to punters at 6am from Monday to Friday.
We spoke to the long-standing landlord, Tony Sommerville, who told us the fascinating history behind the pub.
“You get all sorts,” he said. “Mostly night shift workers, train workers, nurses and ambulance drivers who work through the night, police, press cutters. All walks of life, really.”
He added they get “the odd one or two on their way to work, but each to their own.”
9) Over 600 people took to the streets in fight against housing crisis- 71,500 views
Over 600 people marched through Peckham in March, protesting what they call the overdevelopment of Southwark.
The demonstration was organised by SHAPE, a group formed to oppose the Aylesham Centre redevelopment.
The plans would see 867 new homes built on the site, with just 12 per cent classed as affordable, a figure critics argue falls far short of local need.
The proposal went to a planning inquiry in October, and further hearings are scheduled for January 2026.
10) New gay bar and comedy club opens in Elephant and Castle- 65,300 views
Back in January, Betty and Joan’s opened as a gay bar and comedy club in the heart of Elephant and Castle.
Known as BJ’s, the TikTok showcased the glossy new venue and heard from punters.
They said that Elephant and Castle has become a ‘hub’ for the LGBTQ+ community.
