Only one female in the Caller of the Year competition
18th June, 2008
Tracy Claire could be named Britain’s Caller of the Year by a panel of judges later this month, but she’ll have to beat seven men to do it.
Claire, a 44-year-old woman from Sutton Coldfield, is the only female finalist for the competition. She has been a bingo player for over 20 years and a caller for the past seven, so the experience is there for sure.
Claire actually got into the crazy world of bingo calling by accident and since then she hasn’t looked back.
“I was working the hall’s diner at the time and had to get onstage with my penny and hat still on,” Claire said. “I had fit in the calling around cooking sausages and when a permanent calling job came up, I went for it.”
The competition brings callers from across the UK to qualify for the competition that decides the winner based on the caller’s stage presence, interview technique and appearance.
“Our bingo judges make Simon Cowell look like a kitten,” said Bob Smith, business development manager for Gala. “The finals take on a gladiatorial atmosphere with contenders from across the region travelling to support their caller. We scoured the UK for the best callers and our final eight are really impressive, boasting the best personalities and nerves of steel.”
The finals to decide bingo’s Caller of the Year in Britain is scheduled for 29 June at the Gala Bingo on Kingsbury Road in Brirmingham.
By Michael
