Zoo hires Marvin Gaye impersonator to serenade monkeys
And other stories from the stranger side of life

A zoo attempted to boost its population of endangered monkeys by hiring a Marvin Gaye impersonator who serenaded them with romantic songs. The Trentham Monkey Forest in Stafford said David Largie performed saucy songs including Let’s Get It On and Sexual Healing. “We thought it could be a creative way to encourage our females to show a little affection to males that might not have been so lucky in love,” said park director Matt Lovatt.
Alec Baldwin mistaken for ‘roaming vagrant’
Locals in a Hampshire market town mistook Hollywood star Alec Baldwin for a “roaming vagrant”, reported The Times. The actor, who is understood to be filming near the town of Alton, was described as looking like a “hobo” by a resident who spotted him in the aisles of the Co-op supermarket. “Who would ever expect to see something like that in Alton?” asked a local kebab shop owner, who also spotted Baldwin.
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Mole browses for bargains
A mole was discovered perusing the aisles of a branch of Poundstretcher in Stowmarket, Suffolk. The small mammal, who has been nicknamed “Ernest”, is believed to have spent around four hours in the store before he was spotted hiding by the tills. Recalling her surprise, the store manager said: “I’ve only seen Wind in the Willows – that’s the only mole I’ve seen. I was amazed by how furry he was. He was so clean too.”
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