York Minster has exclusively invited Radio 1 Breakfast DJ Greg James to return to York and resolve a divisive duck debate.
As part of Colour & Light festival, celebrating the animals of York’s past and present, a mallard duck has been projected onto the side of the Minster.
There’s been discussions as to whether this duck is a tribute to Long Boi, Britain’s tallest duck, who sadly passed away in 2023.
Recognised as the ‘UK’s resident Longboi expert,’ the York Minster Marketing Team reached out to Greg James with the following invitation:
You are cordially invited to return to York to view a mallard duck projected onto the side of York Minster. There’s some debate as to whether or not this is Longboi, and we thought, as the UK’s resident Longboi expert, you could pass judgment.
This is part of Colour & Light, a free light projection in collaboration with The York BID, celebrating the beauty and diversity of York’s wildlife throughout history – from ducks to tansy beetles (an incredibly scarce species found in York), with some dragons thrown in for good measure.
Long Boi, the 7ft waterfowl, resided at York University and frequented the lake near Derwent College campus from 2018.
Due to his towering figure, he gained a huge social media following and became viral, acquiring over 60,000 Instagram followers.
Long Boi’s biggest champion was Radio 1 Breakfast DJ Greg James, who once welcomed the duck to quack on his live show.
Sadly, the Indian Runner/Mallard cross went missing and was declared dead in May 2023.
To honour the beloved creature, over £5,000 was crowdfunded for a statue, and wildlife sculpture Neil R Mason was commissioned to create the tribute.
The impressive statue, displayed on a grand plinth, was unveiled by Derwent Lake in September last year, during a ‘final goodbye’ ceremony that attracted over 700 attendees.
Greg James led the service, dressed in all black to pay respect to the “very special duck”.
If you wish to see the glowing duck projection at York Minster for yourself, you only have a few days left to do so.
Colour & Light will be running until Sunday 2 March, from 6pm to 9pm.
The spectacular light show is a free event, brought to the city by York BID (Business Improvement District).
More information can be found here.
