Paul the psychic octopus, the boffins behind spray-on clothes and an explorer who woke up with his head in the mouth of a polar bear are just some of the winners of a new odd news award.
Gongs were also awarded to police in Hampshire who released an e-fit which looked like a head of lettuce and makers of a bra which can be used to store a bottle of wine.
Celebrating the best weird news stories of 2010, the DAFTAS Awards had shortlisted bizarre stories in ten categories ranging from Crazy Crime and Weird Science to Odd Animal Tale.
A panel of judges comprising journalists, broadcasters and comedians then voted to pick their favourites which were announced today (Monday) on the website DAFTAS.com.
Other winners included an artist who created a portrait using 9,852 slices of toast (Off-Beat Art) and a tattooist who was charged with assault after drawing a 40cm penis on the back of his friend (Crazy Crime).
Paul Yarrow – dubbed the ‘news raider’ after appearing in the background of dozens of live news broadcasts – scooped the DAFTAS Personality of the year, beating Wayne Rooney, the Stig and Paul the Octopus to the title.
DAFTAS Awards organiser Simon Crisp said: “At the end of a year it’s all too easy to look back and remember only the biggest and most important events.
We wanted to celebrate the lighter side of the news, the things which barely qualify as news but are the stories people like to talk about at the pub or when they should be working.
DAFTAS Winners:
Weird Science – Boffins create spray-on clothes in a can
Odd Animal Tale – Paul the octopus becomes World Cup star
Crazy Crime – Man charged over unwanted 40cm penis tattoo
Off-Beat Art – Portrait made from 9,852 slices of toast
Oops – Police release bizarre lettuce head e-fit
Funny Product – Wine rack bra conceals boozy boobs
Lucky to be Alive – Explorer wakes with head in polar bear’s mouth
PR Stunt – Jars of fresh air given to city workers
Record Breaker – Biggest ever Coke and Mentos fountain
Personality Of 2010 – Paul Yarrow, News Raider
