Better hope the wind doesn't change! Britain's gurning champions are revealed
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By ROBERT FOLKER, NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
The world's most wacky faces were pulled this weekend as part of the 2026 World Gurning Championships.
Dozens of hopefuls descended on Egremont in Cumbria to take part in the quirky event, which is a part of the town's Crab Fair.
The tradition, which dates back to 1267, sees people trying to pull the most grotesque face possible to be crowned the World Champion of Gurning.
Among more traditional sports, people can participate to see who can pull the most ridiculous face. All the competitors have to do is stick their head through a horse collar and make an ugly face.
But like any sport, there are rules. You must turn your lips up. Experts have said a good gurn is to 'snarl like a dog' to 'distort your facial expression'.
No makeup is allowed, but if you have false teeth, you are allowed to use these to manipulate your face.
In a surprise twist, TV star Will Mellor entered the competition and secured second place, while Ged Eccles became the newly crowned 2026 World Gurning Champion.
Claire Lister reclaimed her crown in the Women's Championship, becoming the victorious multiple-champion once again after losing her title the previous year.
Ged Eccles, the male gurning champion, practices for the World Gurning Championships 2026, where competitors are judged on their ability to pull their most contorted expressions
Claire Lister, female gurning champion, practices for the World Gurning Championships 2026
A young contestant competes for the Juniors Gurning Title during the World Gurning Championships 2026
James Cuthbert competes for the Men's Gurning Title during the World Gurning Championships 2026
Claire Hartlay practices for the World Gurning Championships 2026
Dan Johnson practices for the World Gurning Championships 2026
Caroline Leonard practices for the World Gurning Championships 2026
People cheer and applaud during the World Gurning Championships 2026
A contestant gurns through a horse collar as judges look on during the World Gurning Championships 2026
The event attracts a lot of attention, with even the Queen visiting the competition in 2008 where she met the then global gurning champion, Tommy Mattinson.
The 2022 Crab Fair was cancelled following the death of the Queen to allow people to mourn.
The event has also been officially recognised as the world's longest-running World Gurning Championships.
The Crab Fair, which also sees wheelbarrow races and horn-blowing competitions, is thought to date all the way back to 1267 - when crab apples were given to the townsfolk by the Lord of the Manor.
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