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Glastonbury 2022: Why Wet Leg had a donkey on stage

BBC iPlayer Archie Baby 2 sat next to the drum kitBBC iPlayer
The toy donkey is named Archie Baby 2 after one of the animal's at Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Keen-eyed music fans spotted an unusual new band member during Wet Leg's performance at Glastonbury.

The Isle of Wight band were joined on stage by a toy donkey that was presented to them by the island's donkey sanctuary.

Hester Chambers, from the duo, visited the charity last week with guitarist Joshua Mobaraki, after performing at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Wet Leg have become the sanctuary's first celebrity ambassadors.

Getty Images Wet Leg on stageGetty Images
Wet Leg performed on the Park Stage with their new cuddly donkey sitting by the drum kit throughout the performance

The critically-acclaimed band previously adopted Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary's donkey Archie Baby after hearing his story.

Derek Needham, manager of the animal welfare charity, explained: "Archie Baby had a series of internal tumours that affected his urinary system, but after having an operation, his new waterworks came out at very odd angles, and Archie Baby - and several other donkeys - frequently had a wet leg.

"The group are very supportive of our animal welfare work, heard the story about Archie Baby, saw the connection, adopted him, and have stayed in touch."

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary DonkeyThe Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Hester Chambers spent the day at the donkey sanctuary after performing at the Isle of Wight Festival with bandmate Rhian Teasdale

Following the Isle of Wight Festival they adopted another of the sanctuary's donkeys, Angelica, which is the name of one of the band's recordings.

They also received a cuddly donkey to take with them on tour, which they named Archie Baby 2.

"Wet Leg were as good as their word on Friday afternoon and took their new furry donkey on stage with them at Glastonbury," Mr Needham said.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Hester and Josh from Wet Leg cuddle miniature donkeysThe Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Chambers and Joshua Mobaraki were particularly taken with the miniature donkeys

Wet Leg are now heading on tour to Australia and the donkey sanctuary hopes Archie Baby 2 will become a regular fixture on stage.

"The group all have very busy lives now, but we hope that wherever they are in the world they will remember our donkeys in their own little piece of the Isle of Wight," Mr Needham said.

PA Media Crowd at GlastonburyPA Media
Wet Leg drew a huge crowd when they opened the festival on the Park Stage at Glastonbury on Friday afternoon
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