Wigan locals "over the moon" as 20-foot golden nude Roman Gladiator statue banned by council is reinstated

A controversial 20-foot-tall nude statue banned by a local council has been reinstated - after a campaign by locals.

The striking gold Roman Gladiator statue - once used to promote the Russell Crowe blockbuster in 2000 - was re-erected at Bulldog Forge, in Ince, Wigan, Greater Manchester, earlier this week (November 26).

The much-loved figure - known to locals as 'Golden Balls' - was taken down on October 11 2022 after Wigan Council ordered its removal following a number of complaints from neighbours.

The decision caused backlash in the community who later set up Facebook pages and petitions for him to be returned.

Grant Adamson, 60, who owns the vintage store where it is placed, confirmed the return of 'Golden Balls' after three years, saying he did so to spread "Christmas cheer".

He said: "Locals were heartbroken when we took him down. People liked him, he was a bit of fun you know - 'Golden Balls' as they called him became a landmark and it gave them something to laugh about. People were always asking me when is he coming back so I decided to bring him out for Christmas."

Grant said the statue was up for about six months before the council told him to take it down. He said they had received a number of complaints regarding its nudity and also cited he would need to apply for planning permission for its installation.

Grant agreed to take it down and placed it in storage, though he disputes the council's claim that it needs planning permission. He said that as it is on his land, is on a trailer which can be moved, and doesn't protrude over his property boundary, it isn't necessary, but accepts the council's decision.

The statue had previously taken pride of place outside Titan Flooring Specialists on the Landgate Industrial Estate in 2017. Though recently the sculpture was spotted at Leisure Lakes campsite in the Mere Brow area of Preston, Lancashire over the summer. Grant said he had asked the owners at the campsite, once the summer season is finished, he would like to return it to his shop over the Christmas period.

Grant posted on Facebook about the sculpture’s return and he says locals are "over the moon" that their much-loved statue is back.

One said: "YESSSSSSSS FINALLY GOLDEN BALLS IS HOME LOL." Another resident said: "We just drove past... he must be cold." One other local said: "I'll be making a detour on my way home from work on Friday." Another resident said: "Did he go somewhere nice on holiday?" One other said: "Belting my grandkids loved him." Another said: "Yaaaaay he used to brighten my day!"

Grant also says he is chuffed about the return.

He said: "I was made up on Wednesday when I got the call saying he is on his way. After the year everyone has been through I hope it gives people a smile. It's good for the business and good for the community."

Grant says the statue won't be staying up for too long as the council have only allowed him to keep it up for a short period. Though one day he hopes to work out a way to keep it up forever.

He said: "If people don't like it then so be it, it won't be up forever, but a lot of people do. But I'd love to keep him up as it belongs to the shop and the site."

Wigan Council statement

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that a large statue has been brought onto land at Darlington Street East, Ince, and are assessing whether any consent is needed from the council.”

"On a previous occasion the council advised the landowner that the statue was in need of advertising consent.

"It was subsequently removed by the landowner before any action was taken."