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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

From Katie Price to Boris Johnson: All the celebrity effigies burned at the famous Edenbridge bonfire celebration in Kent

Boris Johnson is set to follow in the steps of Harvey Weinstein and Katie Price when an effigy of him goes up in flames at this year’s Edenbridge bonfire night .

For more than 20 years, the small town in Kent has been poking fun at infamous public figures by setting them ablaze alongside Guy Fawkes.

More than 10,000 people will flock to Edenbridge on Saturday for the celebrations, which also include a carnival procession and a fireworks display.

Last year Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein was the standout pick after a string of allegations of sexual assault on female employees and movie stars emerged.

A model of Harvey Weinstein went up in flames last year (PA Archive/PA Images)

In 2016 Donald Trump was the "overwhelming choice" for the steel-framed model, made days before the then Republican US presidential candidate went head-to-head with Democrat Hillary Clinton and won the election.

Boris Johnson effigy to be burned at annual bonfire event

In 2015 a model of scandal-hit former Fifa president Sepp Blatter was burned.

James Hewitt was chosen in 1994 after trying to sell letters from his former lover Princess Diana (PA Archive/PA Images)

Organised by a team of volunteers and raising money for charity, the evening begins at 6.30pm with a torch-lit carnival procession through Edenbridge High Street.

Celebrity 'Guys'

2018 Boris Johnson

2017: Harvey Weinstein

2016: Donald Trump

2015: Sepp Blatter

2014: Jose Manuel Barroso

2013: Katie Hopkins

2012: Lance Armstrong

2011: Wayne Rooney

2010: Mario Balotelli

2009: Katie Price

2008: Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand

2007: Cherie Blair

2006: John McCririck and Edwina Currie

2005: John Prescott

2004: Tony Blair

2003: Saddam Hussein

2002: Edwina Currie

2001: Anne Robinson

2000: Gordon Brown

1995: Jacques Chiraq

1994: James Hewitt

This is led by the Bishop of the Bonfire, his choirboys and the society's effigies as well as visiting societies from Sussex.

The identity of the effigy is picked a week before the event and is usually decided based on who is the most prominent figure in the news at the time.

Constructing the frame and decorating it with emulsion paint takes four to five days.

The Edenbridge Bonfire Society revealed the identity of this year’s celebrity Guy on Wednesday, saying the "blundering" ex-foreign secretary was the top choice owing to his "continuing habit" of hitting the headlines with "never-ending gaffes".

The 36ft replica of Mr Johnson is wearing Hawaiian-style shorts with a tight-fitting blue jacket, mismatched socks and a cycle helmet.

Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand were picked in 2008 after prankcalling actor Andrew Sachs (PA Archive/PA Images)

He is holding a cake decorated in the style of the EU flag, from which he has taken a Union flag-coloured slice.

In place of his feet are depictions of the red Brexit buses which claimed Britain sent £350 million a week to the EU which could be used to fund the NHS. He is also wearing a rosette symbolising 90 years since the society was founded.

Katie Price was the 2009 effigy, holding the heads of ex-husband Alex Reid and Peter Andre (PA Archive/PA Images)

Artist Andrea Deans, who painted the creation, said: "As with last year there were many strong contenders for this year's celebrity Guy, particularly in the political world.

"This year Boris was the obvious option, plus he's great to caricature and I've wanted to paint him for a long time."

Boris Johnson will get the bonfire treatment this year (PA Wire/PA Images)

Ms Deans said the "possibilities were endless" with the "scruffy" image he is known for.

She added: "He is a fun character and definitely provided us with lots of different ideas throughout the year.

"Because he's got so many things going for him - the big hair, cycling, the association with Brexit, wearing shorts - the possibilities were endless."

Society chairman Bill Cummings said: "Our message to Mr Johnson is that you cannot have your cake and eat it. We hope Mr Johnson will appreciate the humour contained in our caricature and take it in the good spirit with which it is intended."

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