Puns see comedian crowned UK's number one

Will B Found was crowned 2025's UK Pun Championships winner

Knockout punchlines delivered inside a boxing ring saw a new winner crowned in the 2025 UK Pun Championships.

The format of the contest was a royal pun-ble inside Leicester's De Montfort Hall, with six combatants testing their wittiest quips as part of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival contest on Monday night.

Each was tasked with throwing a salvo of one-liners on themes posed by host Jason Byrne, with the noise of the crowd used to pick the winner.

Will B Found's wordplay saw him take the crown, with the punny funster "baffled" at the outcome, crediting a love of "cracker jokes".

Mr B Found - whose full name is William Bicknell-Found - was presented with the championship belt designed by Cornish stand-up comedian and 2019 champion Colin Leggo.

Other contestants in the 2025 championships were finalist Daniel Edison, Josh Faulkner, Mary Cross, Pauline Eyre and Stevie Vegas.

The championship belt was handed to the winner on Monday night

Mr B Found, whose usual stand-up is more narrative, said: "I didn't expect to get into this competition, let alone win - so I'm pretty baffled.

"It's an absolutely crazy feeling to think back to Christmas when I was reading cracker jokes and thinking about how it would be fun to do this in front of an audience.

"I can't really believe it.

"The boxing ring and massive crowd really ups the ante. It stressed me out."

Will B Found's favourite puns

• "My cousin lost his job at the clock factory; it's such a shame, as he was putting in all the hours."

• "Old McDonald has turned his farm into a massive corporation; he's the E-I-CEO."

• "I thought my dad was a smart guy, but I asked if he knew what an eclipse is, and he said, 'No, son'."

• "Whoever stole my copy of Microsoft Office, I will find out - you have my Word."

Leicester Comedy Festival continues until 23 February, with more than 720 events across 80 venues.

Michael Harris-Wakelam, chief executive of the festival charity Big Difference Company, said: "The UK Pun Championships are a highlight for everyone in the comedy community.

"The calibre of talent we saw this year was extraordinary.

"Puns are often seen as a niche comedy style, but their universal appeal is undeniable – they're easy to love, easy to remember, and easy to join in on."