A man who "gets paid for having a great time" has given away thousands of pounds as part of his job.
Anton Fletcher works as a bingo caller at Castle Bingo, in Bootle, and has been in the industry for more than two decades. The 49-year-old is the person who gets to shout out the lucky numbers and tell people they are the ones who have won life-changing amounts of money.
The dad, from Bootle, is now one of eight people who has made it to the grand final of the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year 2022 competition. Anton earned his place in the final by showing off his singing skills, performing a song from The Greatest Showman.
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The finalists will be judged on criteria such as their knowledge of the game, showmanship skills and, of course, their skills as a caller. Before becoming a bingo caller, Anton was a red coat at Butlin's. However, he has stayed in the bingo industry thanks to the people he has met on the way.
He said: “On and off I’ve been a bingo caller for 24 years, originally as a Butlin's Redcoat in Margate. I’ve enjoyed every second of calling bingo in every club I’ve worked in. I love my job and get paid for having a great time. You meet so many people of varying ages and all walks of life in the bingo community."
Anton said one part of his job means he gets to call a game where people can win a grand total £45,000. He added: "I have given that away to people quite a few times and it is always such a buzz. It has been sometimes people within Castle Bingo. It is life changing for people."
The 49-year-old's job also led to Anton appearing on hit TV show Tin Star starring Tim Roth where he played a bingo caller. This was thanks to him becoming a recognisable voice across the country in the bingo community.
Anton said: "They heard me calling and rang the club where they asked for me specifically which was amazing to have a production team approaching you."
The dad said he doesn't have a favourite number he calls, but a special inside joke he has with his customers is when they land on the blue colour page and he shouts "what colour is it?" and they all know to reply "it's blue". More than 200 callers entered the competition across Great Britain but it has been whittled down to just eight finalists.
On November 13, Club 3000 Bingo Club in Wigan will open its doors to host the National Bingo Game-sponsored Grand Final. The judging panel for this year’s event consists of CEO of The Bingo Association, Miles Baron, National Bingo Caller of the Year winner from 2019, Donna Kunyo, and one other judge who is yet to be confirmed.
The winner of National Bingo Game Caller of the Year will receive a trophy and £1,000 in cash. The winner will also act as an ambassador for the industry over the next two years. Prizes will also be awarded to all runners-up with each receiving a trophy and £500.
Joining Anton in the final are Benji Bell,from Mecca club, in Wednesbury, Andrew Skene, from Buzz Sheffield Parkway, Michael Farley, from Apple Sydenham, Richard Leyshon, from Castle Cardiff, Christopher Graham, from Carlton Stirling, Stephen Bogden, from Club 3000 Old Trafford, and Gary Wilson, from Bingo Plus.
CEO of The Bingo Association Miles Baron said: “The National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition is a chance to recognise the talent and dedication and skill of bingo callers who play an integral part in the whole bingo experience. The return of the Bingo Caller of the Year in 2022 brings the whole industry together after what has been a tough couple of years.
"The competition celebrates not just the talents of bingo callers who bring so much joy to our customers but is an opportunity to put on a show, have fun, and bring the bingo community together for one party. The enthusiasm from all operators leading up to the final has been amazing. We can’t wait to crown the champion on November 13."
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