FT266

The 2010 World Cup provided plenty of memorable stories over its month-long course: Spain’s historic win, France’s excruciating public implosion and the usual English spectacle of unsustainable expectations followed by ignominious defeat.

But at least this time around the tournament also produced a more unusual star, of as much interest to forteans as football fanciers, in the shape of Paul the Psychic Octopus.

Paul became an unlikely World Cup hero after his surprisingly accurate match predictions caught the attention of the international media. Born in Weymouth, Dorset, some two and a half years ago, Paul is now resident at the Oberhausen Sea Life centre in Germany.