A CAFE boss's bright idea to use shower curtains to protect his customers from coronavirus lightened the mood on TV show Have I Got News For You.

A Worcester cafe owner's wild and wacky idea to hang 35 clear plastic shower curtains at Francini Cafe De Colombia in Angel Place, Worcester, featured on the BBC One show on Friday.

Researchers approached him after they read the story in the Worcester News before it went viral and reached an international audience, appearing on Fox News, Sky News and in The Times, the Daily Mirror and The Telegraph.

However, Francini Osorio admitted he never watched the show because his television is broken. However, he received lots of messages of support and phone calls from his friends who saw him on the show, broadcast at 9pm, with the guests and hosts appearing remotely.

"I didn't watch it because sadly my television has broken down," he said.

The curtains featured in the satirical news show's picture round when the host, Charlie Brooker, asked: "What us one business owner supplying his customers with?"

One of the answers was 'pool noodles' while another guest asked 'what's a pool noodle?' before Paul Merton answered: "It's a cross between a pull over and a poodle."

When they failed to get the answer Mr Brooker said: "A cafe owner called Francini Osorio has been busy putting up 35 shower curtains - here they are. This is what it's like in his cafe." Referring to the photo, which Mr Osorio supplied himself, he said: "Those two have been waiting ages for their food but the waiter can't find the opening in the curtains."

Mr Osorio spent £2,000 on 35 clear plastic shower curtains and invested in a humidifier to purify the air, ready for when customers return.

However, speaking to the Worcester News yesterday, he said: "If I can be of any help or inspiration then that's brilliant. It's not about making me famous. Let's see if this helps people. They may laugh. I don't care."