While a slew of celebrities finished the London Marathon in record time on Sunday, it was Daddy Pig who stole the limelight.
Fans are convinced Harry Styles was the mystery participant who wore the costume from the Peppa Pig cartoons, completing the star-studded course alongside fitness coach Joe Wicks in five hours and 51 minutes.
The runner who wore the children’s character’s giant pink pig’s head and body finished off with some fetching white leggings and red trainers, was raising money for the National Deaf Children’s Society.
Aperture hitmaker Styles is a keen marathon runner but was notably absent from the race - although that didn’t stop the conspiracy theories running rampant online.
Last year, he took on the Tokyo Marathon in three hours, 24 minutes and seven seconds and the Berlin Marathon in two hours, 59 minutes and 13 seconds under the pseudonym Sted Sarandos.
Fans were hoping he might sneak into the race under a false name or a disguise after spotting that other marathons would clash with his upcoming tour.
He is set to headline 12 shows at Wembley alongside Shania Twain, as part of his Together Together tour for his latest album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
The former One Direction star’s dedicated following also pointed out that he was in London earlier that week, having been spotted with rumoured fiancee Zoe Kravitz.
The Daddy Pig character ran alongside Wicks in the capital’s biggest sporting event, with the duo joining the 59,000 runners taking part in the 26.2 mile route.
Presenter Gabby Logan interviewed Wicks and Daddy Pig at the race to try to determine who was behind the costume.
“I've got to address the rumour that inside this costume is Harry Styles, who is a very good runner,” she said.
“Can you put paid to that or can you confirm that this might be the case?”
Wicks replied: “Listen, Daddy Pig is Daddy Pig. He is himself, he's being himself and there are no celebrities right there.”
Next to him, Daddy Pig started dancing, prompting Wicks and Logan to burst out laughing.
Wicks added: “It's a good rumour, it's gone around social media like wildfire. Are those Harry Styles' legs? I don't know.”
Fans flooded social media with their theories, with one writing: “Them some Harry Styles looking legs right there!”
Another added, “Defo harry,” and someone else agreed: “I think it is Harry Styles.”
Others, however, pointed out that Styles was a very competent runner and compared his previous finish times.
“Guys he did the Berlin marathon in under three hours it’s not him,” one wrote.
“Yeah Daddy Pig did it in like five hours, no?” a second user remarked.
