Paul the octopus, who became a household name during the 2010 World Cup, has died.
Paul passed away, apparently in his sleep at his home at a public aquarium in Oberhausen. Germany. Staff were said to be 'devastated'.
He rose to fame in the summer due to his ability to correctly 'predict' the results of football matches in the World Cup finals, getting all seven of Germany's games correct, along with the outcome of the final between Holland and Spain. Paul made his 'predictions' by opening the lid of one of two clear plastic boxes, each containing a mussel and one of the team's flags.
Stefan Porwoll, manager of the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre, said: "His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself. We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine."
Paul was two-and-a-half years old, so his death wasn't totally unexpected, as these creatures only have a short lifespan.
"We are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here and that the care provided him by our dedicated displays team could not have been bettered," said Stefan Porwoll.