Making a splash: Joe rolls around in the tub during the heartwarming Pathe footage taken in 1967

Making a splash: Joe rolls around in the tub during the heartwarming Pathe footage taken in 1967

Time for a soak: The adorable baby gorilla prepares himself for a clean as another young primate hides behind the tub

Time for a soak: The adorable baby gorilla prepares himself for a clean as another young primate hides behind the tub

The mischievous primate initially tries to leap from the bathtub, but slips back into the water

The mischievous primate initially tries to leap from the bathtub, but slips back into the water



Thirsty work: Joe takes some time out to try to take a drink from one of the taps after covering himself in water

Thirsty work: Joe takes some time out to try to take a drink from one of the taps after covering himself in water

I'm hungry! The baby gorilla playfully chews on a flannel while sitting in the shallow water

I'm hungry! The baby gorilla playfully chews on a flannel while sitting in the shallow water

Seconds later he returns to thrashing around in the bath, revelling in his watery surroundings and loving every second of bathtime.

Joe then clearly misunderstands how he is supposed to scrub himself clean, as he attempts to eat a flannel.

Towards the end of the newsreel, zoo keeper Molly Badham gives Joe a gentle dry down, with heartwarming footage showing the gorilla almost smiling as he is scrubbed with a pink towel.

Don't forget behind the ears: Joe immerses himself in the water after growing more comfortable with the bathtime surroundings

Don't forget behind the ears: Joe immerses himself in the water after growing more comfortable with the bathtime surroundings

The cute gorilla even seems to enjoy being towel dried by zoo owner Molly Badham during the 1967 newsreel fotoage

The cute gorilla even seems to enjoy being towel dried by zoo owner Molly Badham during the 1967 newsreel fotoage

Molly Badham, Twycross owner in 1967, continues to get to grips with adorable baby gorilla Joe after his soaking

Molly Badham, Twycross owner in 1967, continues to get to grips with adorable baby gorilla Joe after his soaking