Britain Crowns New Gurning Champions Amidst Centuries-Old Tradition
The annual World Gurning Championships, part of Egremont's Crab Fair, saw participants contort their faces through a horse collar to compete for titles.
The 2026 World Gurning Championships concluded this past weekend in Egremont, Cumbria, drawing dozens of hopefuls to compete in the unique event that forms part of the town's historic Crab Fair. This tradition, which traces its origins back to 1267, challenges individuals to produce the most grotesque facial expressions to be declared the World Champion of Gurning.
Competitors participate by placing their heads through a horse collar and then pulling their most distorted face. The rules stipulate that participants must turn their lips up, with experts suggesting a 'snarl like a dog' can effectively contort facial expressions. While no makeup is permitted, the use of false teeth is allowed to aid in manipulating the face.
Ged Eccles emerged as the 2026 World Gurning Champion, while TV personality Will Mellor secured the second-place position. In the Women's Championship, Claire Lister reclaimed her title, marking another victory after losing it the previous year.
The event has garnered significant attention over the years, notably in 2008 when Queen Elizabeth II visited the competition and met the then-champion Tommy Mattinson. The 2022 Crab Fair was postponed due to the passing of the Queen. The World Gurning Championships holds the official recognition as the longest-running event of its kind globally.
The Crab Fair itself, which includes other competitions such as wheelbarrow races and horn-blowing, is believed to have originated in 1267 when Lord of the Manor distributed crab apples to the local population.