It’s been a good week for ... socks
Who knew novelty socks could be so high up the news agenda?
Darth Vader has been on a mission of international diplomacy, appearing briefly in the world of global negotiations with Justin Trudeau.
The Canadian prime minister started a trip to India wearing a pair of Star Wars-themed socks, a choice likely to please the country's president, Narenda Modi, who's reportedly a fan of the movie franchise.
Meanwhile, Harry Potter fans are going wild for hosiery bearing the face of Dawn French, who plays The Fat Lady in the films.
And for golf fans, new to the market are socks inspired by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. But at $18 (£13) a pair, you wouldn’t want to get a hole in one.
Novelty socks might be an acquired taste, but I reckon they have their uses. I cleared out my drawer recently and was saddened by the number of lonely socks – all various shades of black and bearing different degrees of wear and tear – that had lost their partners. Surely Darth, Jack and Fat could never be parted from their other half?
But what can we do to address the odd sock conundrum? Truth is, you can never throw one out in case its partner then shows up, all remorseful and apologetic. You would never live with your conscience.
So I’m thinking there’s a place in the world for an online sock dating agency, where heartbroken hosiery can find a sole mate.
It’s been a bad week for ... reality
Actor David Hasselhoff has praised a student police officer for jumping eight feet into a freezing river to save a drowning man. Despite being unable to swim, PC Mohammed Nadeem leapt into the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester, after a man fell in.
Hasselhoff, who starred in Baywatch and Knight Rider, said PC Nadeem was the "new Hoff". His publicist said the US star wanted to personally praise PC Nadeem when he is in the UK next month.
Which is grand, and a nice gesture. But much as Hasselhoff is renowned for his red-trunk-clad heroics on the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, someone should give him a wee shake and point out that he isn’t actually a REAL lifeguard.
He’s obviously got a bad case of dual identity. Perhaps he’s playing a game of two Hoffs.
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