And he likes to celebrate winning trophies, according to Pallister, by "rapping on the stage and doing a bit of singing and dancing and entertaining the whole banqueting hall".

BBC: Ryan Giggs in a league of his own

In Anchorage, Alaska, a group was planning to converge on city hall to hold a carol-singing protest in defence of Christmas customs they believe to be under threat, such as the habit of wishing someone "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

BBC: War on Christmas: Is the festival under attack?