A 20-foot naked man statue, nicknamed ‘Golden Balls,’ has been re-erected over the small British town of Wigan despite the local council banning the sculpture in 2022, according to British media reports on Sunday.
The statue was erected outside a vintage shop until neighbors' complaints prompted its removal by order of the council in 2022.
The statue’s owner, Grant Adamson, 60, told the Metro that customers were “heartbroken” when it had to be removed.
Adamson said that he was now defying the ban to spread some “Christmas cheer.”
“People were always asking me when is he coming back so I decided to bring him out for Christmas,” Adamson said, while describing it as a “landmark.”
Wigan Council told the Metro they were “aware” that Golden Balls had reappeared but were still assessing whether it was necessary to take any action.
The naked statue is built to resemble a Roman gladiator and was used to promote a Russell Crowe blockbuster in 2000.
“‘It’s good for the business and good for the community,” Adamson said.
Raising funds with the 'Golden Balls' statue
“I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the response to the Golden Man's return. This week has been very much bittersweet,” Adamson shared. “I got a call saying he was on his way back to the Forge, which had me grinning from ear to ear. Then I got a call that had me in tears. My much-loved brother-in-law, Mike Fairhurst, is sadly losing his battle with his brain tumour.
“My niece Vicky, along with family and friends, is doing a sterling job of raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity. So with the help of Golden Balls, Santa, and of course all you wonderful people, Grant's Bulldog Forge wants to do our bit. Firstly, each Sunday in December, Santa will be at the shop giving a pre-Christmas gift to GOOD CHILDREN. This will cost £5 per child. Also, let's give a name to the Golden Man. Come into the shop and donate £1 and put your name choice in the box. On Christmas Eve, I'll randomly pick one name out. From that day on, he'll be called.................? Also, if you can donate something to Vicky, that would be great x.”
Golden Ball’s return to Wigan’s high street has been widely celebrated by social media users.
Member of Parliament Richard Burgon commented on X that the statue “appears to be the statue of Prometheus, which had a starring role in Tony Harrison’s groundbreaking 1998 film poem of the same name?
“For that reason alone, it needs saving.”