Live Bingo presenter from Buzz Bingo is crowned champion for 2024

Over 200 bingo callers across Britain entered the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition but it was Issy-Mae Hunt from Buzz Bingo who wowed the judges in the national finals in front of bus-loads of supporters and an afternoon of great entertainment.

The competition culminated on Sunday afternoon 17^th November at Mecca Bingo in Wakefield. The event opened its doors to over 500 people and saw Issy from Buzz Bingo crowned the lucky winner, receiving £1000, a trophy, and the prestigious title as National Bingo Game Caller of the Year for 2024.  The six Runners-Up each received £500 and a trophy to commemorate their achievement in participating in the Final.

Issy started her bingo journey in Buzz Bingo Ipswich before leaping into our Live Bingo team based at our Derby studio. She is a regular face of our live bingo streams and calls our Big Money Live games daily beamed into our bingo venues with prizes from £2,000 to £100,000.

“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.”

The nationwide competition whittled down over 200 entrants to just seven finalists, with the final seven competing against each other to be crowned Champion. Customers, supporters, and finalists travelled from around Britain in support of their finalist and were welcomed with a complimentary glass of bubbly and a traditional roast Sunday dinner, accompanied by first-class entertainment. The electric atmosphere throughout the day encouraged the finalists to put on their best performance yet.

The event saw great performances from all the finalists, ranging from line dancing to a performance for The Greatest Showman, however, Issy stole the show with her unique performance with her ukelele and an original song about her journey to become a bingo caller.  Finalists were judged on criteria such as their knowledge of the game, presence and stage personality, ability to entertain and their technical skills as a Bingo Caller. The other finalists 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 Bingo, Brierley Hill, and Tim Dobson from Club 3000 Bingo in Blackpool.

This year’s judging panel was headed by Miles Baron, CEO of The Bingo Association, along with Donna Kunyo, winner of National Bingo Game Caller of the Year in 2019, and Daryl Powell the head rugby league coach of Wakefield Wildcats.

CEO of The Bingo Association, Miles Baron said: “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.”