YORK bridegroom Rodger Sutcliffe is never one to chicken out of a challenge.

When his friends dared him to don a yellow feathered costume for his stag do at the races and get pictured with TV tipster John McCririck, he didn't let them down.

Rodger, who was marrying his fiance, Stephanie Edwards, at York Register Office today, was also interviewed live on Channel 4 Racing in the chicken outfit.

Best man Daniel Yates, from Tadcaster Road, York, organised the prank at Lingfield racecourse in London.

"Rodger's face was a picture when we pulled out the costume," said Daniel. "He went white as a sheet.

"We're proud of him for going through with it. It gives me some great material for my best man speech.

"Ironically when I first met Rodger he had chicken pox!"

Rodger, who is moving to Nottingham with Stephanie, said: "I couldn't believe it, but I soon warmed to the idea after a couple of pints.

"They also made me have a drink for every year I had not been married - I was sick as a parrot."

Rodger, of Fulford Road, York, and Stephanie were going to Tenerife for their honeymoon.

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, January 19, 2002