Largest Gathering of People Wearing Underpants

In threatening weather they came. Through early morning thunderstorms and lunchtime rain. To Twickenham Stoop, home of the Harlequins (rugby team – union and league, for the uninitiated) to do what no group of men had done before: strip to their underwear, and form the word “Cosmo” on the Stoop’s playing surface.

On Sunday, 7 June – on what should have been a warm summer's day – 146 men braved the cold and broke the record for largest gathering of people wearing underpants, as officiated by Guinness World Records™ Adjudicator Paul Kenny. Organized by Cosmopolitan magazine (who have never shied away from asking men to strip for good causes) and supported by Ted Baker London (who donated hundreds of pairs of very classy underwear in five vibrant colours), the event was a fundraiser for Everyman, the male cancer charity who work tirelessly to build awareness of testicular and prostate cancer.

There were all ages, sizes and shapes on display, but they were united by a constant sense of humour, great cheer and patience, as the photographer – on a 24-m (80-ft) crane – snapped them from every possible angle. On hearing that the previous record of 116 people had been beaten, the crowd's jubilation was undeniable – especially among the sea of female partners, friends and supporters who'd come to leer and cheer. It was a record with a difference: it took a lot of... well, you know what I'm going to say, and it was a really fun day out for everyone involved.

8 June 2009