Cornish comic crowned king of wordplay

Cornish comedian Colin Leggo has been named this year’s UK Pun Champion after a showdown at the Leicester Comedy Festival.

This was the third consecutive year that had taken part in the pun-ishing contest, which takes the form of a rap battle.

Examples of his winning puns are:

‘I took my friend to the seaside but I ignored him all day and just sat by the rock pool talking to some coral. Keep your friends close and your anemones closer’

‘I got addicted to the cold weather. It started in December and snowballed from there’

‘When I was a child I got turned down for the school’s hurdle team. I couldn’t get over it’

 ‘I hear they’re now selling Pale Ales in tablet form. That’s a bitter pill to swallow’

‘I always fish at a nudist beach, it’s the best place to get your tackle out’

‘So when I heard my cinema was showing a documentary about Morris Dancing, I said "I’ll be there with bells on’

 ‘Apparently baker Paul Hollywood likes to punch ducks in the face for a laugh- it’s the Great British Beak Off!

‘My girlfriend dumped me because I dressed up as a massive cherub holding a bow and arrow. One cupid mistake’

Leggo has had previous success on YouTube with his spoof Grand Theft Cornwall. His channel also hosts The Car Pun Game’, where he invites comedians to drive around, making up puns from words heard on the radio. Guests have included Nick Helm, Pippa Evans and Bec Hill.

The runner-up tonight was 38-year-old Richard Woolford from North London also taking part in his third UK Pun Championship.

The other contestants, with examples of their jokes, were:

Robert Thomas: Seaweed is really good for you. If you're ever in trouble, sea kelp.

Stevie Vegas: Can anyone remind me how to use WD-40? I'm a bit rusty.

Eleanor Colville: Roman numerals going out of fashion? Not on my watch.

Adele Cliff: How can you tell you’re eating a Brexit Christmas dinner? No Brussels, or Turkey and we no longer have a seat at the table.

Joseph Murphy: Why is Moe Sizlack always saying he wants to kill the young Simpson boy? Because he’s a Bart-ender 

‘Alf’: When I was young I was adopted by a man called Daz, so I grew up referring to him as my non-biological Father.

Click here to watch some highlights from the night.

Published: 11 Feb 2019