Erica Roe

Erica Roe (born 1957), also known as the Twickenham Streaker, is remembered for a topless run across the pitch of Twickenham Stadium during an England vs. Australia rugby union match on 2 January 1982. It has been described by the BBC as "perhaps the most famous of all streaks."[1] Roe, who later attributed the inspiration to alcohol, ran onto the field during half time, exposing her 40-inch bosom.[2] Roe and the friend who joined her streak (Sarah Bennett)[3] were corralled by police officers on the field, one of whom covered Roe's chest with his helmet while leading her off the field.[4]

While Roe was not the first or the last streaker at an athletic event, in 2007 The Independent of London declared that her "memorable" streak made her a suitable icon to represent all such streakers in their article on sports interruptions.[5] The event prompted Manchester Confidential to dub her "the most famous British streaker."[6]

Roe's continuing notoriety saw her appear on the nostalgic British TV programmes After They Were Famous (1999) and 80s Mania (2001).[7][8]

She was working at that time in a bookstore in Petersfield, Hampshire, but moved with her husband and children to Portugal to become an organic farmer of sweet potatoes.[4]

In December 2014, at the age of 56, Roe released a topless calendar in support of breast cancer research in memory of her sister who died from the disease; the photographs for the calendar were shot by her daughter, Imogen.[9]

In March 2016 she appeared as a contestant on series 3 of "The Island with Bear Grylls".[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bare without a care. BBC (6 August 2000). Accessed 3 October 2007.
  2. ↑ Where are they now? Scotland on Sunday (26 August 2007). Accessed 3 October 2007.
  3. ↑ http://www.interestingfacts.org.uk/sport/first-streaker-at-a-rugby-match
  4. 1 2 100 most memorable sporting moments: 71-90, The Observer. (4 February 2001) Accessed 13 March 2011.
  5. ↑ Viner, Brian. (7 July 2007). Wimbledon washout brings memories of some barefaced interruptions. The Independent (London). Accessed 3 October 2007.
  6. ↑ Streak of peace. Manchester Confidential. Accessed 3 October 2007.
  7. ↑ "After They Were Famous" Episode #2.3 (2000)
  8. ↑ 80s Mania (2001) (TV)
  9. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2862853/Why-m-stripping-56-Erika-Roe-public-school-girl-lifted-men-s-hearts-Twickenham-33-years-ago-haunting-tragedy-inspired-wrinkles-all.html
  10. ↑ http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/tv-news/news/1980s-streaker-erica-roe-resurfaces-in-bear-grylls-channel-4-survival-show-the-island
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