Choppers who was the last of the original PG Tips chimpanzees has died at Twycross Zoo. She was 48 years old and famous for her role as Ada in adverts for a popular tea brand that were broadcast in the 70’s and 80’s Choppers had been left psychologically scarred by her spell in the limelight and had to endure time in rehab to help her mix with other chimps The BBC reports: The zoo said the “much-loved” ape had signs of heart and liver failure and the decision to put her to sleep was made on Wednesday. In 2014, the zoo told the BBC the use of apes on television had been wrong and Choppers was “mixed up” as a result. ‘Sadly missed’ Chimps like Choppers were trained by Twycross, in Leicestershire. They were dressed up in clothes and lip-synced with the voices of actors such as Peter Sellers and Bob Monkhouse. They also appeared in children’s shows Tiswas and Blue Peter and their messy tea parties were a big hit with the public. After about 30 years the zoo ended its agreement for its apes to be used in advertising, but chimpanzees from abroad still appeared in tea adverts [...]
