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From dentistry to digital fame
Ian Smith, an 81-year-old retired dentist from Snettisham, Norfolk, has built a following of 1.5 million on social media by sharing decades of life wisdom in twice-daily videos.
A challenge that sparked a journey
Smith's foray into content creation began as a playful dare from his wife, who doubted he could attract even 100 followers. His competitive spirit took over.
"I thought, I'll show you. If I can get 100, I can get 1,000. If I can get 1,000, I can get 100,000," he recalled with a laugh.
What started as a personal challenge quickly evolved into a global audience, with followers tuning in from across the world.
From rejected novel to BookTok success
Before his social media rise, Smith spent over 50 years as a dentist, retiring in 2022. He then turned to writing, completing a novel that was rejected by hundreds of agents-only three responded. Undeterred, he self-published the book and promoted it on BookTok, a TikTok community for book enthusiasts.
For the past 18 months, he has consistently posted motivational and positive content, resonating with viewers of all ages.
A global conversation
Smith described the experience as "humbling," particularly the international reach of his videos. During his weekly Thursday livestreams at 8 p.m., viewers from Brazil and beyond join the conversation.
"Here's this 81-year-old sitting talking to a tiny little telephone, and the response has come from all over the world. It's staggering," he told BBC Look East.
His most popular video has amassed over 59 million views, with his largest fanbase consisting of people in their 20s.
No negativity, just growth
Smith expressed surprise at the lack of negative comments, noting that his audience has grown alongside him.
"Eighty-one years old, and you don't actually think you'll be doing this kind of thing at all. As I've grown, my audience has grown," he said.
What's next?
The retired dentist shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to share his uplifting messages with a community that spans generations and continents.
