26 Oct 2010

Paul the psychic World Cup octopus dies

British-born Paul the octopus, who won unlikely worldwide fame after correctly predicting a host of World cup matches, has died. Tom Clarke looks back on the celebrity cephalopod’s life.

Paul’s owners at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany said the octopus appeared to have passed away in his sleep during the night.

Paul gained the title ‘psychic’ after correctly predicting the winners of all Germany’s World Cup clashes and that Spain would beat Holland in the final.

He made his choice by selecting one of two boxes, each loaded with a mussel food treat and marked on the outside with the nation’s flag. Paul’s predictions were broadcast live on news channels across the world.

Staff at the centre said his death was not entirely unexpected, since common octopuses generally only live a couple of years.

“His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself,” manager Stefan Porwoll said.

We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds. Stefan Porwoll

“He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night, of natural causes, and we are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here.

“We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine.”

Replica trophy
Paul retired after the football tournament and was presented with his own replica World Cup trophy.

Paul will live on meanwhile in the form of a range of commercial enterprises ranging from special clothing lines to mobile phone applications.

He will also feature in a documentary to be released early next year.