10 things … we discovered this winter

1 It’s said that a priest saved a young Hitler from drowning.

2 The average hug lasts three seconds.

3 The average age of a British farmer is 60.

4 The average US share holding lasts 22 seconds.

5 The ransom paid to release Richard the Lionheart, captured in 1192 on his return from the Crusades, which was the equivalent of about £2bn in today’s money.

6 About 40% of skyscrapers due to be completed in the next six years will be in China.

7 One in three British men claim to do the majority of ironing in their household; 18% say they have ironed in the nude.

8 After a 60-year ban, Disney will now allow employees at its resorts to sport facial hair.

9 Incan brides had to peel a potato to prove they would be a good wife.

10 On average, every hour of TV watched after the age of 25 reduces the viewer’s life expectancy by 21.8 minutes. People who spend six hours a day watching TV live 4.8 years less than those who watch none.