Patriotic parrot whistles 'The Great Escape'

England fan Fran Sheridan taught his parrot Slipmatt to whistle The Great Escape, the song often played at England games, so his pet can support the national team during the World Cup in Brazil

While the Midlands is gripped by the World Cup spirit, willing Roy Hodgson's boys on to win their second group match against Uruguay, they'll be one unusual soul squawking his support on Thursday.

Slipmatt, the African Grey Parrot, has practised a pitch-perfect rendition of football anthem The Great Escape. The nine-year-old bird can also shout 'England' and cheers on his favourite player yelling 'Come on Rooney'.

His owner Fran Sheridan, from Worcester, says it took him about a month to train the patriotic parrot the new World Cup songs. Lets hope Slipmatt's in fine voice, or should that be squawk, for Thursday's crucial clash in Sao Paolo, which is live on ITV from 8:00pm.