A tribute to the chain-wearing men who came before Connell

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past seven days, it’s highly likely you’ll be aware of the all-consuming Connell Waldron thirst that’s sweeping the internet right now. With thousands binge-watching Normal People’s 12 episodes in a matter of hours (it’s almost as if we have nowhere to be?) lead actor Paul Mescal suddenly became all anyone could talk about – largely in an extremely horny manner. 

But what was it about the likeable County Sligo sixth former turned shining literary star that so rapidly raised heart rates among viewers? You’d be forgiven for thinking it was all down to his rugby-honed physique, his appealing aquiline nose, or his sweet, stoic, slightly bashful nature, but you’d also be wrong.  

Instead, it was the thin silver chain he wears around his neck that did it. Dangling in Marianne’s face as they had sex or peeping from the collar of his t-shirt, in the time since the show landed on screens last week the simple, age-old adornment has taken on a life of its own – so much so, that it even has its own Instagram now. 

“It’s just so fucking fit, isn’t it?” says founder Billie Bhatia. “It’s so seductive but also sweet – it’s so obviously masculine and alpha but also soft and sensitive, and makes him seem sentimental in a way.” Bhatia is exactly right. Connell is the kind of boy who’d take the piss out of you all night at the pub but make sure you got home safe after a few too many tequila shots, who’d do anything for his mum, and who’d defend your honour with a few choice words in the face of those dragging you through the mud (@ Peggy) – and the chain is the glue that holds all those attributes together. 

Of course, Connell is not the first man to flip through the Argos catalogue and add a nice, shiny Elizabeth Duke number to his cart. Countless attractive men (and women!) have dabbled in the silverware throughout history, which is why we took the liberty of curating the gallery above. Featuring everyone from Keanu Reeves and Jake Gyllenhaal, to Donald Glover and Cook from Skins, consider it our altruistic and definitely not self-serving service to you, the horny, contact-deprived masses.

Check out the gallery above, and revisit the show in the gallery below.