Two donkeys adopted by Wet Leg die after health issues

BBC reports that Wet Leg – led by Hester Chambers and Rhian Teasdale – adopted a donkey from the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary (of which they are the first celebrity ambassadors for) named Archie Baby after hearing the story of his illness, which left him needing an operation on his urinary system.

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 frequently had a wet leg."

Hester Chambers, lead guitarist and backing vocalist, visited the sanctuary last year with Joshua Mobaraki (guitar, synths) which is when they adopted a second donkey, the miniature Angelica – who is coincidentally named after the single from Wet Leg's debut album. A few months later, they adopted Jill as a Mother's Day present.

They were also gifted a cuddly toy donkey named Archie Baby 2, which sat near the band's drum kit while onstage at Glastonbury 2022.

Whilst Archie Baby is said to be "doing great" and "having fun" at the sanctuary with the rest of the herd, sadly Angelica and Jill died on Saturday (25 March). Chief executive Susan McCall described Jill, who was in her late 30s, as being "very ill" while Angelica, 22, suffered from "many different health conditions" and had been on palliative care.

The BRIT and Grammy Award winners recently finished touring with Harry Styles who covered their hit "Wet Dream" in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge last year.