Here are some more of Sarah’s pictures from an emotional morning at the university.
More pictures as Long Boi statue is revealed to the world
Long Boi statue unveiling – as it happened
26 September 2024
These were our updates as the legendary duck’s memorial was unveiled
• Key updates
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Video: Watch the moment when the Long Boi statue is revealed
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‘Let’s all celebrate the life of Britain’s tallest duck’ – Greg James
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‘I’m from India. And my family said – you go to the same university as Long Boi!’
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Here’s Long Boi waiting to be unveiled
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‘A wonderful, engaging, distinctive duck’: Vice chancellor Charlie Jeffery
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Tributes pour in to Long Boi: ‘A staple of my life’
Video: Watch the moment when the Long Boi statue is revealed
Without further ado, here’s the unveiling of the Long Boi statue!
Greg James did the honours at the University of York Central Hall, followed by a minute of quacks.
‘Let’s all celebrate the life of Britain’s tallest duck’ – Greg James
Here’s what Greg James has been saying in his Long Boi eulogy today.
“When I first spoke about long boy on the Radio One breakfast show in May 2021 I had no idea that a fleeting comment about a very tall duck would lead to this now, three years later.
“There are hundreds of people here in person to remember and to celebrate him. Millions listening to this ceremony right now on the radio, and even more people all around the world following this story.
“So thank you to everyone who’s taking the time out of their day to listen to this ridiculous event, and thank you to you for your attendance here today.”
He went on: “Some people might not get why we’re doing this today. They might wonder why everyone put in so much time and effort for something that, on the surface, looks silly.
“But silly things are important. Silly things get us through the day.
“And look silliness brings us together, and our favourite animals get us through the day too.
“We love them because they show us the best of ourselves. So when you get the chance to celebrate silliness and to celebrate animals at the same time, you have to seize it with both hands, and that’s what we’re going to do today.
“So without further ado, Let’s all celebrate the life of Britain’s tallest duck.”
BBC star Greg James takes to the stage
After broadcasting his Radio 1 breakfast show live from the University of York today, Greg James is now addressing the hall.
He is dressed in suitably funereal black, complete with veil.
Greg composed his eulogy to Long Boi on the train up to York last night.
‘I’m from India. And my family said – you go to the same university as Long Boi!’
Tanisha Jain, sports officer for the University of York Students’ Union, was involved with the fundraising for the Long Boi memorial.
She told Sarah Dunphy that the duck had global appeal.
“We realised that there’s so much overwhelming love for Long Boi.
“I’m from India, and my friends and family in India knew who Long Boi was and they were like, “Oh my god, you go to the same university as Long Boi’.
“We knew we needed to commemorate his life somehow.”
The full interview is below.
Here’s Long Boi waiting to be unveiled
People are gathering in the Central Hall of the University of York now ready for the ceremonies to begin.
The spotlight is on the statue of the willowy waterfowl, hidden under a sheet.
Here are some more pictures from Sarah at the scene.
