enjoys the BBCThe BBC
A am a big fan of the BBC.
Although I seldom listen to the radio, and watch TV even less, the BBC Website alone warrants the licence fee.
Any news worth reading (and dare I say watching) can be found on the site, reported in what I consider to be a factual and unbiased manner.
It also plays host to a huge resource of reference material covering all aspects of life, both ancient and modern - a genuine treasure of the nation.
However, as I have filed this under 'Odd Stuff', I am not going to concentrate on the serious stuff, but more the weird, wonderful and downright daft stories that they have reported over the years.
Enjoy!
Silly Stories
Pudding renamed Spotted Richard(8/9/09)
The traditional suet pudding Spotted Dick has been renamed "Spotted Richard" at a council canteen - because customers keep making jokes.
'Creative plumbing' delivers beer (13/3/06)
A woman said she thought she was in heaven when she turned on the kitchen tap to find a plentiful supply of beer
Parrot squawks on woman's affair (17/1/06)
A parrot owner was alerted to his girlfriend's infidelity when his talkative pet let the cat out of the bag by squawking "I love you Gary"
The Elephant Carwash (12/7/09)
It could only happen in the States. For $20, visitors can have their car washed by the zoo's elephants, who scrub with sponges and rinse with their trunks.
Mandelson asked if he's PM's Willie (7/7/09)
Lord Mandelson displays a gift for comic timing after being asked by Tory MP Peter Luff if he is Gordon Brown's "Willie". Video included!
Weatherman's unfortunate slip of the tongue (25/6/09)
Weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker was reduced to hysterics by an unfortunately rude mispronunciation when giving a BBC Radio 4 forecast. Great audio!
E-mail error ends up on road sign (31/10/08)
Mis-translated bilingual road sign The English is clear enough to lorry drivers - but the Welsh reads "I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated."
Giant knickers put out house fire (2/1/08)
A family home was saved from burning down when a pair of giant knickers were used to put out a fire.
The 'wrong Guy' is interviewed by the BBC (16/5/06)
Guy Goma faced live questioning about the Apple vs Apple court case, after being mixed up with another 'Guy'. The video of the interview is hilarious!
Mystery over pink bra deliveries (30/12/08)
About a dozen householders in a village in Cumbria received an extra present on Christmas Day - pink bras, which were posted through their letter boxes.
Pub's pink paintwork poses puzzle (27/3/09)
Mystery decorators are alleged to have painted a historic black-and-white Herefordshire pub bright pink during the night.
Mystery decorators are alleged to have painted a historic black-and-white Herefordshire pub bright pink during the night.
City hit by 'legal to pee' prank (23/12/08)
People should ignore signs telling them that it is legal to urinate in certain public places in Nottingham, the city council said.
Laptop thief 'good for business' (20/8/05)
The owner of a CCTV surveillance shop which was robbed by a hooded thief has said the incident was "the biggest boost to business imaginable".
Porn film appears on Tesco's TVs (21/3/09)
Retail giant Tesco is investigating after a pornographic film appeared on 20 televisions in one of its stores in Hampshire.
Radio 4 news hit by giggling fit (28/3/08)
Hundreds of listeners have contacted BBC Radio 4 after newsreader Charlotte Green dissolved into giggles while reading a bulletin on Today. (Page features audio clip guaranteed to make you smile)!
50 office-speak phrases you love to hate (16/6/08)
BBC lists 50 of the best worst examples.
Teenager finds bat asleep in bra (9/7/08)
A teenager who thought movement in her underwear was caused by her vibrating mobile phone found a bat curled up asleep in her bra.
Teenager plans carrot 'panic buy' (15/5/08)
A teenager could be behind a surge in global carrot sales after setting up a popular Facebook page as a joke, urging people to "panic buy" the vegetable.
Disabled zone painted round car (23/7/07)
A driver who had workmen paint a disabled zone around his car after he parked it has said he thought he was the victim of a television prank.
'Most unfortunate names' revealed (25/2/09)
What do you call some of the most unlucky people in Britain? Justin Case, Barb Dwyer, Stan Still, Annette Curtain and Tim Burr
Blair 'rescued Brown from toilet' (9/7/07)
Gordon Brown once locked himself into a toilet and had to be freed by Tony Blair, according to ex-Downing Street press spokesman Alastair Campbell's diaries.