Looks like Bill is planning to attend the Gorilla Run, according to this article in The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/pandora/pandora-will-kens-revenge-come-at-the-expense-of-the-bbcs-glittering-star-924504.html):

Boris gives apes his silverbacking

Boris Johnson is the latest heavyweight, if you'll excuse the expression, to throw his support behind this year's Great Gorilla Run.

The annual 7km run, held in a fortnight in aid of the Gorilla Organisation, will consist of nearly a thousand participants donning gorilla suits and running through the streets of London.

In the past, the organisation has usually managed to convince a celebrity runner to put on a hairy costume. No word on who this year's VIP great ape will be, but sadly Boris  (flatteringly described by the charity as "London's very own silverback") apparently wasn't available.

"Bill Oddie is definitely coming, though, but just to watch," says a spokesman excitedly.

"I don't think there's any way we'd ever get him into one of the suits."


Because of course Bill would never dress up in a funny costume... 

Just saw a note saying the 2008 London Great Gorilla Run will be held on Saturday, 27 Sept.

I've no idea whether Bill will be on hand again this year, but I imagine he might attend if he's available as he's supported the event in the past.

Here's the event's website: http://www.greatgorillas.org/london

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jodievdw : ' Congrats Joey... I'm delurking for one post coz I'm in danger of being overtaken!

You're my inspiration!! 

Congrats Joey... I'm delurking for one post coz I'm in danger of being overtaken!

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lisa : ' Congrats on your 1000th post, joey!

Thanks!  It's taken a while....2000 here I come! 

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wackywales : 'Credited as Bill Loddie!  They obviously got carried away with their L's.

[laugh] I didn't even notice that!  Well, um, they liked Bill so much they wanted to give him a little something extra? 

I don't think this link has been posted yet - this is to one of the gorilla runners' blog.  It has an amusing account of his experience as well as a photo with Bill: http://timeoutinlondon.blogspot.com/2007/09/21-watch-great-gorilla-run.html

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lisa : ' Denise Unland spotting this video of the run on CNN's website.  Bill appears briefly to talk about the run, can be seen giving a medal to one of the runners, and also can be heard starting the race. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2007/09/22/chang.uk.gorilla.fun.run.cnn

Credited as Bill Loddie!  They obviously got carried away with their L's.

Denise Unland spotting this video of the run on CNN's website.  Bill appears briefly to talk about the run, can be seen giving a medal to one of the runners, and also can be heard starting the race.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2007/09/22/chang.uk.gorilla.fun.run.cnn

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wackywales : ' And to answer Lisa's question, here are some of the FAQ's from their website 12. Are the costumes ‘animal friendly’? Yes! As an animal welfare and conservation charity we’ve been extremely careful to select a completely animal friendly product, so we can assure you that they are made entirely from synthetic fibres and rubber!

Can you image someone thinking the run got hundreds of real gorilla skins for a chartible effort to save the animals!
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wackywales : ' 14. Can I personalise my gorilla costume? Yes! You might find that you’ll be able to raise a lot more money if you wear fancy dress OVER your gorilla costume so why not run as a ballerina-gorilla, a disco-gorilla or a policeman-gorilla? If it helps to raise more funds, and if it’s safe to run in, then please do it.

I like the idea about the disco gorilla!
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wackywales : ' Wouldn't it be great if someone had personalised their costume and run as a gorilla dressed in a pair of the Goodies Funky Gibbon dungarees!

That would be fantastic!  And the "G" on the front would make sense for "Gorilla" as well as "Goody". 

And the pic...



(Congrats on joining the Thousand Club, Joey!)