Listen to this article:Comedian Rachel Baker has been crowned the winner of the Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2026 after taking to the stage as her energetic alter ego, Gwen.
The final was held at Dabbers Social Bingo in East London on Friday 17 July, and Rachel Baker won the main prize after an audience vote. Her performance earned her £1,500 in cash and guaranteed work with Dabbers over the next 12 months.
Nerine Skinner, performing as Sadie the Motivator, received the separate Judges’ Favourite award. Tara Boland as Dusty Creases and Paul Aitchison as Klaus Fantastiche completed the four-person final, which was hosted by musical comedian Katie Pritchard.
The previous year, Ali Brice won the 2025 contest, performing as his game show-loving alter ego, Eric Meat.
The Dabbers Bingo Comedy Caller Contest challenges performers to combine comedy, audience interaction and bingo calling. Contestants must host a game while introducing their own routines, characters and original calls between the numbers.
Now in its sixth year, the 2026 competition began with 24 performers from comedy, cabaret and other areas of live entertainment. There was a series of heats, quarter-finals and semi-finals to reduce the field to four acts ahead of the final at the Houndsditch venue, which is known as Dabbers City.
This was the first final in the competition’s history to feature an entirely character-based line-up. Baker performed as Gwen, a high-energy dance enthusiast who used songs, movement and audience interaction throughout the different rounds.
Speaking after her victory, Baker said:
“With such fierce and creative competition, I am honoured that Gwen won, it’s been so fun to try out new songs and dances in all the different rounds, and Gwen has learned a lot throughout the process. It’s been a joy bringing Gwen to a new crowd. Thanks to Dabbers and Jonny for making it possible, excited to be part of the team.”
Gwen added: “I’ll be spending the whole £1,500 on my erotic Gnome collection.”
Baker’s prize includes £1,500 as well as a 12-month hosting contract with Dabbers Social Bingo.
She will work at the venue during the coming year and is expected to host regular events, including the Dabbers Brunch Club. The official competition prize also included an opportunity to perform with the Dabbers team at major festivals around the UK.
Dabbers Bingo managing director Jonny Unknown said:
“This girl’s got that magic dust. Rachel AKA Gwen owned the room. Some performers are simply made for the stage, and she lit it up from the moment she walked on. Naturally funny, effortlessly charismatic, and impossible to take your eyes off. I can’t wait to start working with Rachel. Our guests are going to fall head over heels for Gwen. All hail the new Queen of Dabbers!”
The result adds to Baker’s growing list of comedy achievements. She was a finalist in the Sketch Off Awards 2025 and previously won the Luke Rollason Character Bursary. She has also been recognised by the Funny Women Awards and Birmingham Comedy Festival’s Breaking Talent Award.
Although Baker secured the audience vote, the final also included a separate prize decided by the judging panel.
Nerine Skinner received the Judges’ Favourite title for her performance as Sadie the Motivator. The award was presented by cabaret comedian Roland Saunders.
Skinner said:
“I’m really grateful to have won the judges’ vote. I’d never hosted bingo before this competition, and to be recognised for my hosting skills and my work as a character comedian by industry professionals is something I’m really proud of. I never would have attempted to lead a bingo game before, and I’m really grateful to Jonny and the team for giving me the opportunity.
“From the very beginning, we were shown how to play, what works, and what doesn’t. This helped elevate the whole experience from just a competition into a valuable learning opportunity.”
Skinner had progressed through the earlier rounds alongside Baker, Boland and Aitchison before the four character comedians met in the final.
After Rachel Baker won the main prize, her work as Gwen will continue alongside her new role with Dabbers. She is taking the character to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August for a show titled Rachel Baker Presents: Gwen – This is Not a Pyramid Scheme.
The production in Edinburgh is scheduled to open on 20 August at Hoots @ Nicolson Square. It follows Gwen as she launches a new venture based around teaching people how to become “resilient, gorgeous and gregarious” through dance music and audience interaction.
Skinner is also due to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, meaning both winners from the Dabbers final will return to the stage shortly after the contest.
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