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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Paul T Smith

Bongo's Bingo: Meet the team behind Scotland's biggest night out

It's by far Scotland 's biggest night out and not just on a Friday and Saturday.

Bingo isn't for everyone, but Bongo's Bingo is most definitely for all. From men dressed up as naughty women, to crazy prizes and big money to be won - what's not to love?

It first originated in Liverpool off the back of a pub quiz and was founded by Jonny Bongo and his mate Josh Burke in April 2015.

Bingo is the new rave (Michael Hunter)

If you've never been to a session in either Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Dundee, you're missing a right good rave. Because after all, bingo is the new clubbing. Bongo's Bingo is the original, with many copycat events now popping up.

SWG3 is its residency in Glasgow where you'll find tunes like Bits n Pieces, DJ Badboy's Friday Night and a good old classic such as Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like A Woman.

Jonny and Josh have taken the event to 40 locations across the UK. The lads have 15 hosts and more than 30 dancers, who've rounded up crowds in places like Dubai and Ibiza.

Speaking to the Record, Jonny said: "It's still a pinch me moment. This all started off the back of a pub quiz, and I totally did not expect it to explode like it has done.

"It's just insane. We're doing 159 shows in December, which is just unbelievable and the majority of them have all sold out. Every show in Scotland has sold out.

"The main thing for me though it people just genuinely love it and it's all walks of life as well. You get hen parties, stag parties, birthday parties. You name it. It shows up at Bongo's Bingo.

Oh yeah... and you might want to take along some milk for those Coco Pops (Michael Hunter)

"Someone once said to me Bongo's Bingo is like medicine and it should be subscribed on the NHS. It's like escapism, and I think that's what people really love about it.

"People come along and they just go crazy. And that's what it's all about really, people letting loose across all walks of life and playing bingo together and sharing the experience - all of the social barriers come down and normality is left at the door for a few hours. It’s incredible to see this each and every time and the same energy and madness unfolds at all of our shows."

Graham McKee is the main host at Glasgow's SWG3, where he's joined by dancers Thomas Galashan - also known as Slaggy Maggy - and Josh Homer, or Kinky Kylie.

Graham and his dancers (Michael Hunter)

The boys don't hold back on stage and are no stranger to whipping their frocks off - setting temperatures rocketing.

He said: "I am going to be bias here. The Glasgow crowd is the best. You guys are just nuts and we absolutely love you all for it.

"At SWG3 you just never know what to expect and the adrenaline I get is just crazy sometimes.

Graham has been mates with Jonny for many years and used to work in a bank, but sadly lost his job.

That all worked out very well in the end, though, because he bumped into Jonny who asked him if he was up for joining the gang.

Graham added: "Glasgow was just really getting started when I arrived, I had been too a few shows in Liverpool so I kind of knew what to expect.

"My first show in Glasgow was just insane. I literally ran right back to the office and told them I would not host anywhere else, I wanted to host here at SWG3.

"I have now moved to Glasgow, and it's my home. I absolutely love the city, and the people who live in it."

Special guests have included Kelis, 5ive, Natasha Bedingfield, Nadine, Kim Woodburn, Timmy Mallet, B*Witched, The Venga Boys and Lewis Capaldi.

You can buy tickets for Bongo's Bingo here.

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