He’s finally here! Long Boi statue unveiled by Greg James on University of York campus

The life size statue has been placed beside Long Boi’s old quacking ground, Derwent Lake

2 months ago

The statue of our beloved campus duck Long Boi was finally unveiled on University of York campus yesterday by BBC Radio 1 presenter, Greg James.

Hosting a memorial for the king of Campus West, Greg travelled from London to unveil the statue and lead a “viking funeral” for the duck.

After over a year of planning, Long Boi’s statue is now finally in place beside Derwent Lake.

via Instagram @laurajad.e

After his death in May 2023, fans across the world went into mourning for Long Boi, including Greg James. Taking a particular liking to the duck, Greg planned on taking a trip north to meet him, but never got the chance.

We asked Greg James yesterday if being apart of the funeral and seeing Long Boi’s statue has given him some closure on never meeting him, and he replied “I finally have some closure over one of my greatest loves” and “I hope all the long boi fans feel finally peacefully because he is finally peaceful, long live Long Boi”.

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Plans for the iconic statue were announced in August this year, with YUSU raising £5.5k in order to eternalise Long Boi’s presence beside Derwent Lake.

Long Boi after the unveiling event in YUSU yesterday

After an open call for artists to design the statue last year, award-winning wildlife sculptor Neil Mason hand carved Long Boi out of clay, before he was shipped to Greece for bronze casting.

Now, the life sized statue has been placed beside Derwent Lake, the original stomping ground for Long Boi.

Inviting students to approach the statue, University of York’s art curator, Helena Cox, took to the stage in Central Hall to let everyone know about the new bronze statue.

Suggesting that Long Boi’s statue may serve as a good luck charm to students, she said: “I, as the official curator, am inviting you to get hands on with the statue, touch that beak!”

“Your essays will sparkle with genius, your exams will be a breeze and luck will follow you wherever you go… when life gets a little difficult, go and rub that beak.”

However, the only person that was not welcome to rub the ducks beak was Ed Gamble, who had previously claimed on the Radio 1 breakfast show to have eaten Long Boi on an episode of the Great British Menu. Greg James made it very clear that Ed Gamble wasn’t allowed anywhere near the statue with posters hanging around campus stating “No Ed Gamble, don’t Gamble on duck safety”.

The majestic statue, up close, was insanely detailed and beautiful. Long Boi’s cheeky essence was defiantly captured with a sparkle in his eye. His long, bold neck was to scale and will show generations to come quite how tall he stood. I feel honoured to have been amongst the first few students to have got up close to this magnificent monument. I encourage anyone on Uni of York’s west campus to give him a visit!

Long Boi has now received his rightful legacy that will live on in York’s rich history.