The UK Pun Championships recently concluded at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, part of the Leicester Comedy Festival. This year’s event gathered a diverse group of talented contestants, all eager to showcase their punning abilities.
2026 Championship Winner
Adam Ernest Pickard emerged as the winner of the 2026 UK Pun Championship. He expressed his excitement, reflecting on the competitive nature of the event. “I think I just won the UK Pun Championship—unless this is a very elaborate prank,” he said. “This is probably the biggest gig I’ve ever done, so to win it as well—it’s great!”
Contestant Lineup
This year’s competition featured a strong lineup including:
- Adam Ernest Pickard
- Katie Pritchard
- Louie Falls
- Mary Cross
- Nayim Ali
- Paggy Gacheva
- Richard Stott
- Richard Woolford
The event was hosted by comedian Jason Byrne, who kept the audience engaged with a variety of topics. The audience played a crucial role, as their laughter and cheers influenced which contestants progressed through the rounds.
Memorable Puns
Pickard’s standout puns that led to his victory included:
- “The song Greensleeves was composed by Henry VIII. I’d play some of it here, but it’s not royalty-free.”
- “Only women can use the herbal dumbbells. Thyme weights for no man.”
- “I’ve compiled everyone who works at my local takeaway pizza place into a book. It’s my Domino’s Who’s Who.”
- “My friend and I paid a wizard to cast a spell so that Giorgio Armani would live forever. So when he died, we went back to the wizard and said, ‘We’d like Armani back.’”
Event Highlights
The UK Pun Championships are considered a highlight of the Leicester Comedy Festival, the largest comedy festival in Europe, featuring over 700 shows. This year, contestants competed in a boxing ring, adding excitement to the atmosphere.
Symbol of Punning Supremacy
The coveted Championship Belt, symbolizing punning supremacy, was designed by Colin Leggo, the 2019 champion. Michael Harris-Wakelam, CEO of the Big Difference Company, which organizes the festival, praised the exceptional skill displayed. “The UK Pun Championships are a highlight for anyone who loves fast-paced comedy,” he noted.
Congratulations to Adam Ernest Pickard and all the participants for making this year’s UK Pun Championships a memorable event at the Leicester Comedy Festival.
