Musical and clown comedian "Dru Cripps" are the winners of Dabbers' annual bingo competition.
On July 7, Dabbers Bingo hosted the 2024 Comedy Bingo Caller Contest, featuring musical and clown comedian "Dru Cripps" ” was declared the winner and received a £1,000 ($1,280) prize and a one-year contract with Dabbers Social Bingo.
Cripps was eliminated in the preliminary round when they first entered the competition. However, after his friend and fellow comedian, Lilian Wenker, was forced to withdraw from the final due to illness, Cripps entered as a substitute and went on to win the top prize. His innovative style saw him incorporate elements of music and dance into bingo calls, winning over the judges.
Commenting on his win, Cripps said: "My favorite thing about hosting bingo is that, right before the game, I later learned that the circus would use clowns to distract the audience while the lion tamer was being eaten - so it felt a bit like that in this case, Lilian Wenker's appendix was the lion. ”
The competition is hosted by BBC New Comedy Awards finalist and Live at the Apollo comedian Sikisa Bostwick. Last year, Dabbers Social Bingo launched its 2023 competition – in line with the company’s aim to reimagine the bingo experience for the 20-50 age group.
Dabbers founder Jonny Unknown said when commenting on the 2024 final: "What a wonderful final - the audience was so enthusiastic and the four Outstanding contestants compete! The best performer of the day wins, but it wouldn't be Dabbers without some last-minute twists and drama."
