Harry Styles fans have become convinced that the singer has disguised himself as Daddy Pig to take part in Sunday's London Marathon. Peppa Pig's dad is running the 26.2 mile course to raise awareness and funds for the National Deaf Children's Society, after his son George's recent hearing loss diagnosis.
But fans watching the race have begun to speculate that the pig costume could be hiding a global pop star underneath. Harry, 32, is well-known for his passion for running and participated in two marathons last year under pseudonyms, sharing how it enables him to be alone with his thoughts and shed the trappings of fame.
The One Direction star stunned fans last year when he popped up on the streets of Tokyo, taking part in the city marathon. He impressed onlookers when he crossed the finish line with a time of 3:24:07, landing him in very respectable 6,010th place of 26,706 runners.
Six months later, the Watermelon Sugar singer scored a new personal best when he ran the Berlin Marathon in under three hours, with a finish time of 2:59:13. And people are now theorising that he could be making his hat-trick with the London Marathon, but by disguising himself as Daddy Pig.
The cartoon character has already followed in Harry's footsteps by posing for the digital cover of Runner's World last month, just weeks after the hitmaker appeared on the cover. Rumours are now swirling that the two stars are one and the same, with fans claiming to have recognised Harry's legs.
Speaking to Runner's World, Daddy Pig said he would be running the marathon in a specially designed running costume and that Mummy Pig and their children, Peppa, four, George, two and baby Evie, would be there to cheer him on. 'They've been mapping out where they're going to watch from, so they can wave and cheer me and the other runners on. It's going to be great,' he gushed.
'They've also had some creative ideas to help me fundraise. At one point, Peppa was sure she was going to do a 'sponsored loudness' – which is exactly what it sounds like, the opposite of a sponsored silence. Thankfully we found other ways to fundraise together.' As well as inspiring his children, Daddy Pig is also hoping to raise funds and awareness for the National Deaf Children's Society, running alongside 50 other runners as part of a team.
The NDCS has 'provided so much wonderful advice and support since we found out that George is moderately deaf in one ear,' Daddy Pig gushed, adding that 'this felt like the perfect way to give back and show our appreciation!' It was announced last month that a powerful upcoming storyline in the beloved kids' show will see Peppa's little brother diagnosed as moderately deaf.
A new episode sees George attend an audiology appointment during a routine doctor's visit, where his family learns he has moderate hearing loss in one ear. He is then fitted with a hearing aid, allowing him to experience sounds in a new way, with the marathon episode continuing to promote the message of inclusive storytelling.
