Clown travels miles to bring smiles to Bognor

Toto the Clown has travelled more than 4,000 miles to spread smiles around Bognor Regis.

The funnyman will be the farthest travelled participant in this year's clowns' weekend.

He spent eight-and-a-half hours in the air to get to the UK ready for a series of visits to schools this week and the big parade which was on Sunday (March 5).

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He said before he arrived: "I've never been to Bognor before and I'm very much looking forward to it.

"I've come over before for Clowns' International events (in Bolton and Weston-super-Mare) and they are so much fun. I'm 42 but I act like a little kid sometimes."

Toto is a former Barnum and Bailey circus clown and bases his performances upon a big top routine.

"I'm very bold and big, with a lot of slapstick and falling around," he explained. "I wear an over-sized suit and a shocking red wig."

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He is a well-travelled clown. His recent visits include China, Sweden and Holland.

"Laughter translates into all languages," he stated. He arrived from Davenport in Iowa, about three hours drive west of Chicago, to stay with Clowns' International honorary vice-president Clown Bluey in Southampton before he came to Bognor.

Four other overseas clowns '“ Jojo, Paliette, Pjot and Julius '“ are expected to travel from Denmark for this weekend. Another is likely to come from France.

Clown Bluey said he thought 85-90 clowns would take part in this weekend's events.

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"It's good to be once again coming back to Bognor," he said. "We always look forward to it and have regarded Bognor as our 'clown town'.

"It's good for the town, it's good for us and it's really nice to be invited back by Butlins and Bognor Regis Town Council."

Clown Bluey and Toto were joined by Conk the Clown for 13 school visits for the first three days of this week.

Today is being spent at a clowning workshop in Butlins before they meet and greet guests at Butlins tomorrow.

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