Listen to this article:If you’ve spent any time playing in bingo clubs rather than online, then you will know what a difference the caller can make. The job involves far more than just shouting out numbers; they are responsible for the atmosphere in the bingo hall and they can truly make or break the experience.
That is why, every two years, The Bingo Association holds the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year 2024 competition to identify, recognise and celebrate the best bingo caller in the UK. This year, the final was held on Sunday, 17th November, at the Mecca hall in Wakefield. More than 500 people came to watch as the seven finalists battled it out for the coveted prize.
In the end, the winner was Issy-Mae Hunt, a caller at Buzz Bingo, who was crowned Caller of the Year. She won £1,000, a trophy, and the prestigious title of National Bingo Game Caller of the Year for 2024. Each of the six runners-up won £500 as well as a commemorative trophy to recognise their achievements.
If you’re interested in the competition, you can try your luck in 2026. In the meantime, check out our website for top tips for new bingo callers to hone your skills.
An impressive 200 people from across the nation were entered into the competition and they were whittled down to just seven finalists over the course of a number of preliminary rounds.
On the day of the final, players, supporters, and competitors came from around the country to support the finalists. Prior to the competition, everyone was greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbly and a traditional Sunday roast lunch, together with some first-class entertainment.
Perhaps helped on by the bubbly, there was a fantastic atmosphere in the hall and it seemed to bring the best out in the finalists. They covered a range of styles in their final performances, ranging from line dancing to a performance for the Greatest Showman.
However, Issy-Mae showed her winning credentials with a fantastic performance with the ukulele and a song of her own composition.
The competition was judged by a prestigious panel, which consisted of Miles Baron, the CEO of The Bingo Association, Donna Kunyo, winner of National Bingo Game Caller of the Year in 2019, and Daryl Powell, the head rugby league coach of Wakefield Wildcats.
They judged the finalists on a number of criteria, including their presence and stage personality, their ability to entertain the crowd, their technical skills, and, of course, their knowledge of the game. Joining Issy-Mae in the final were Anton Fletcher from Castle Bingo Bootle, Debra Phillips from Castle Bingo Merthyr Tydfil, Gary Wilson from Bingo Plus, Kara Smith from Club 3000 Bingo in Ipswich, Kelly Horton from Mecca Brierley Hill, and Tim Dobson from Club 3000 in Blackpool.
Speaking after her win, Issy-Mae, who is a live bingo host at Buzz, said:
“I am so happy that I have won and crowned National Bingo Game Caller of the Year 2024! The whole day has been amazing. I want to thank everyone who came and supported me and congratulate all the other finalists for getting to the final. I am also delighted to be ambassador for the Bingo Association over the next few years.”
Miles Baron, the CEO of The Bingo Association, congratulated Issy-Mae and spoke about the competition:
“”We are delighted to run the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition again as it’s a great chance to recognise the talent, dedication, skill, and the vital role of the Bingo Caller in the whole customer experience. This year’s finalists were amazing, making it a tough decision to choose the winner but all judges agreed that Issy deserved to be crowned the champion.
From start to finish the atmosphere and entertainment was amazing and really captured what bingo is all about, I would like to thank the judges Donna and Daryl and the Mecca team for hosting a brilliant event. This competition is unique as it brings people from all walks of life together to play the game and enjoy themselves.”
Issy-Mae will be the reigning champion until 2026 when the next competition is due to take place, during which time she will be working as an ambassador for the game and continuing her work as Britain’s best bingo caller.
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