Listen to this article:The Dabbers Social Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2025 ended in spectacular style on July 16 in East London, with comedian Ali Brice, performing as his gameshow-loving alter ego, Eric Meat, claiming the top prize after securing the majority of audience votes.
The competition was held at the purpose-built Dabbers Social Bingo venue. It featured five comedic performers, each of whom was tasked with hosting a bingo game that blended traditional number calling with original comedy flair. Brice’s performance earned him not only £1,000 but also a year-long hosting contract with Dabbers. Last year’s contest was just as hilarious and unpredictable, with plenty of wild moments and big laughs – that was the year Dru Cripps won Dabbers Bingo Comedy, setting the bar high for anyone following in his footsteps.
Following his victory, Brice said:
“I’m absolutely chuffed to have been crowned Dabbers Comedy Caller 2025. I really didn’t expect to get past the first round, let alone win. There have been incredible acts at each stage who I thought would have gone through ahead of me. I’m also really happy for Eric Meat. He deserves some good luck. Strikes me as quite a lonely fellow, and the wonderful crowds at Dabbers have shown him such much-needed love. Thanks to everyone involved.”
The final was hosted by comedian Sikisa and featured an impressive lineup of contestants that included recent drama school graduate Kirsty Lucas, the flamboyant Fabio Lezonli, and stand-up Shruti Sharma. The competition is part of Dabbers’ efforts to modernise the traditional game of bingo by merging it with elements of cabaret, drag, and stand-up to create a more immersive and engaging experience for younger audiences.
Johnny Unknown, the Managing Director of Dabber’s Social Bingo, explained:
“Younger audiences wanted something more than just going to a pub. They wanted to have an experience, something where you’re bringing everyone together and everyone’s got memories they can create from that show… That’s always been my thing,”
Speaking about the inspiration for the contest, Unknown added:
“I’m really excited by new talent all the time. Comedians on the circuit, cabaret, drag, why are they doing it, what’s funny about it. Bingo has such a connection with that, and especially Dabbers. We like performers to bring their flair and ideas to bingo and to what we do on stage.”
When it came to his opinion of the finalists, Unknown was clearly impressed:
“What a night! Possibly my favourite final we’ve ever had at the Comedy Caller Contest. The competition was super tight and the steaks were high (pun absolutely intended). But Eric Meat absolutely brought his A-game and upped the ante! His comedy timing, bingo lingo, and masterful mix of meaty puns and songs kept the audience laughing, dancing, and fully engaged all night long. A well-deserved win!”
In addition to the main prize awarded by audience vote, the judges’ panel, which included industry names such as Miles Baron (CEO, Bingo Association), Kitty Chrisp, Noel Cornford of Inside Out Talent, and cabaret comic Roland Saunders, chose Esther Cross as the Judges’ Choice winner. Cross is known for her absurdist clowning, and she appeared dressed as Wallace from Wallace & Gromit in the final with an act that included a high-energy interactive game full of cheese-themed puns.
Speaking after his win, Brice explained some of the challenges involved in merging comedy with accurate bingo calling. He explained that it is important that you get the numbers right, as people “don’t want to get the wrong numbers marked off.”
He added, “You’ve got to make sure you’re all over that machine and the balls. Then, you’ve got to bring your own calls, and they’ve got to be funny, you’ve got to be entertaining. All round, you’ve just got to bring the magic. I think it’s really tough.”
As the newest champion of Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller 2025, Brice is now preparing to take Eric Meat Gets the Chop to the Edinburgh Festival this August, where it will run at the Carbon venue from August 2–12 and 14–24.
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