DO YOU REMEMBER the Tips family?
The group of anthropomorphic chimpanzees have been used by tea brand PG Tips for advertising campaigns since the 1950s. Louis, one of the most famous of the chimps, sadly passed away this week after a short illness.
The 37-year-old lived at Twycross Zoo, where he was also born.
His loss will be felt amongst keepers and staff both past and present, according to a statement from the zoo.
“Louis was a very gentle and laid back chimp, and a favourite of everyone,” said curator Dr Charlotte Macdonald. “Born at Twycross, he was one of the original PG Tips chimps and has lived to see all of the changes; from chimp’s tea parties to the modernisation of the zoo, including the recent chimp integrations into larger social groups.”
She assured the public that the chimp’s long-time companion Choppers, who is 43, is “doing well”. She will be monitored closely over the next couple of weeks as she mourns her partner.
Although gone, Louis will never be forgotten; he will always be a member of our Twycross Zoo chimp family.
PG Tips used the chimps all the way through to 2002, with just a brief hiatus in the 1970s over animal rights concerns. However, they were soon brought back as sales dipped noticeably in their absence.
Celebrities, including Peter Sellers and Bob Monkhouse, provided the voiceovers.
Louis’s claim to fame was his spell as 007:
(YouTube: jeffrey reynolds)
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