Man shuts down Badger Bistro to focus on friendship with fox [Video]

By Elli Hodgson via SWNS

An animal lover who ran a “Badger Bistro” in his garden has had to give it up – but is now best friends with a fox instead.

Marcel Payne – known to friends as The Badgerman – began recording badgers living in woodlands behind his home tucking into meals he’d prepared during lockdown.

The 53-year-old hosted animal dinner parties at his home in Bearsted, Kent, with as many as 11 striped guests eating alongside foxes and cats and watched by thousands online.

Since returning to work as a driving instructor after the pandemic, the dad-of-one has had to close his renowned badger restaurant.

But Payne continues to feed the badgers as well as his fox companion Hope, who has been visiting his home for years and is now “part of the family.”

The friendly vixen climbs on the sofas in his home and even shares pork pies with him on …