How 'play dead' Banbury cat has become a media sensation

A Banbury cat who likes to play dead in the middle of the roads of town has risen to national and international fame.

Lolly the cat likes to play dead in the middle of the roads of Banbury.

The odd behaviour has led to Lolly's owner, Lesley 'Les' Southam, getting regular phone calls from the local vets and neighbours telling her he's been found dead in the road.

Les even took to posting flyers around town reassuring neighbours they haven't killed her cat due to her unusual behaviour.

Les said: "He is rather famous in Banbury as he love’s socialising. Sadly, he likes to play dead, and the local vets get lots of calls daily about him being dead. He is old, lazy and ignorant and will literally not move if laying in middle of the road."

After the Banbury Guardian published a story about Lolly cat and his unusual behaviour he started becoming even more popular.

In less than a month since the article was published Lolly cat has been in several national newspapers such as the Mirror, the Daily Star, the Metro and even the Washington Post in America.

Last week lolly cat was also on the This Morning show with Ruth and Eamonn on ITV. He was also later mentioned on another ITV show called Loose Women.

Les added: "He has a magazine deal. They all contacted me off the back of your article."

Photos of Lolly cat still regularly pop up on local Banbury Facebook group pages after someone has spotted him in the middle of the road.

The 14-year-old cat, Lolly, is a popular and well known cat in the community, and not just for 'playing dead.'

Les added: "Everybody knows Lolly. He is famous at the Horton too, as he is known to catch a lift in pharmaceuticals vehicles if they are not watching, and spend two days in the offices of the Finnes Centre being treated like a king."

Lolly's owners aren't exactly sure why he 'plays dead' so often in the middle of the road.

Les added:"He just loves attention, and people."