WEIRD WORLD

NONAGENARIAN’S NOVEL: A retired plumber has published his first novel at the age of 96. William Glen from Glasgow discovered his love for writing while attending classes in his retirement. He spent months planning and writing the fictional tale After the Panic, about a disagreement between South American drug barons that leads to a bomb being left on a cruise ship.

BALL BOY JOY: A Bristol City ball boy has described being swung around in celebration by team manager Lee Johnson as “amazing”. Johnson ran to the touchline and picked up Jaden Neale, 10, after his team’s winning goal against Manchester United on Wednesday night. The Robins celebrated a 2-1 Carabao Cup quarterfinal win against Jose Mourinho’s team at Ashton Gate.

STOLEN TOILET: A former NBA player has taken to Twitter to complain that a toilet was among the items stolen from his Dallas home during a burglary. Thirtythree-year-old Charlie Villanueva, who most recently played with the Dallas Mavericks, posted a photo of the space in his bathroom where his toilet once stood. Mr Villanueva criticised police for a slow response to his burglary report, saying he called four times about the lost loo.

SINGING STORE WORKER: A Massachusetts grocery store employee has surprised shoppers with his operatic renditions of popular Christmas music. Tony Russo, owner of Russo’s Market in Watertown, told The Boston Globe he had no idea Guilherme Assuncao could sing when the 23-year-old volunteered to sound check equipment for an upcoming weekend performance. His voice shocked his co-workers, and Mr Assuncao was invited back to the stage to perform for shoppers.