VIDEO: Barnoldswick Silentnight factory workers' Harlem Shake video is a YouTube hit (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

VIDEO: Barnoldswick Silentnight factory workers' Harlem Shake video is a YouTube hit

11:05am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Chris Adams

ABOVE: Silentnight workers do the Harlem Shake

FACTORY workers have created an online hit with their version of a viral video craze.

Staff at the Silentnight head office in Barnoldswick took to the warehouse floor to film their take on the Harlem Shake — a dance sensation that first appeared on the internet last month.

Around 8,500 people have taken to YouTube to watch the clip, which shows around 20 employees taking part, along with a guest appearance from the company’s famous Hippo mascot.

The 33-second video was shot after the success of several other performances of the dance, first posted by a group of Australian teenagers at the beginning of February.

The phenomenon involves a lone person dancing to the song ‘Harlem Shake’, by American electronic musician Baauer, surrounded by other people not paying attention. When the music changes, the shot then cuts to an entire crowd dancing enthusiastically, often wielding props.

In the Silentnight version, staff can be seen with brushes and dancing on beds, while Hippo slides by on a forklift truck.

Claire Fenton, brand manager for Silentnight Beds, said: “We thought it would be great fun and there were lots of laughs filming it.

“The staff really got into the spirit and although Duck (another of the group’s mascots) decided to sit this one out, Hippo couldn’t wait to rally the troops and get everyone involved in some fun-fuelled mattress mayhem.

“It’s been the talk of the office with over 8,000 YouTube views.”