Mecca Bingo has proudly revealed Kelly Horton as the winner of its Caller of the Year 2024 competition. This prestigious event, aimed at celebrating the skills of bingo callers across the UK, has culminated in Horton, who has worked at Mecca Bingo’s Brierley Hill, Dudley location for 17 years, being crowned the top caller. Horton’s unique combination of calling skills and line dancing abilities helped her secure the top spot in the highly competitive contest, and her win also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mecca Bingo, as they now offer line dancing classes for their players.

Mecca Bingo Crowns Kelly Horton as Caller of the Year 2024

The Road to Victory: A Competition to Find the Best Bingo Caller

The Caller of the Year competition at Mecca Bingo began with regional heats held at various locations across the UK, where bingo callers from every corner of the country showcased their talents. The competition is designed to identify the most skilled, engaging, and entertaining bingo callers within Mecca’s venues. After a series of heats, six finalists were chosen to participate in the grand final, held at Mecca Bingo Wednesbury. The finalists were evaluated on various aspects, including their personality, stage presence, and audience engagement, ensuring that only the very best would go head-to-head for the title.

In the final, Horton stood out not only for her clear and confident voice but also for her ability to connect with the audience. Her charismatic stage presence and engaging calling style made her a favorite among both the judges and the audience. The judging panel, composed of industry experts, carefully considered every aspect of the finalists’ performances before ultimately awarding the title to Horton.

Kelly Horton: A Veteran Bingo Caller with a Passion for the Game

Kelly Horton has been a bingo caller at the Brierley Hill location in Dudley for an impressive 17 years. Over the years, she has developed a deep love for the game and its community, making her an integral part of the Mecca Bingo family. Horton’s dedication and passion for her work were evident throughout the competition, where her experience and natural rapport with players helped her rise above the competition.

Reflecting on her win, Horton said, “I’ve worked at Mecca Bingo for a really long time – 17 years – so it differs every day! I love the spread of different people I get to meet and chat to every day. But, above all, it’s such a great feeling when you call out winning numbers for big wins – especially when it helps them pay for big life events like a hen party or moving house.”

Her connection to the players and her ability to make every game feel special were key factors in her victory. Horton’s love for the game shines through in every call, and she is thrilled to be representing Mecca Bingo in the next stage of the competition.

Heading to the National Stage: Horton to Compete in the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year Competition

Having won the Mecca Bingo Caller of the Year title, Horton is now preparing to compete in the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition, where she will face off against callers from other operators, including independent bingo halls and holiday parks. The event will take place in Wakefield in November and is expected to draw both judges and fans from across the bingo industry.

The National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition is considered the pinnacle for bingo callers in the UK, and it presents an opportunity for the best in the business to showcase their talents on a national stage. Horton is looking forward to representing Mecca Bingo and hopes to bring the national title back to Brierley Hill.

“Having competed at Wednesbury against some of the best of the best, it’s a real honour to be heading to Wakefield to represent Mecca in the industry’s National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition. I hope I’ve done Brierley Hill proud and can’t wait to celebrate with our customers,” said Horton.

The Importance of Bingo Callers in the Mecca Bingo Experience

At Mecca Bingo, the role of the bingo caller goes far beyond simply announcing the numbers. Bingo callers are the heartbeat of the game, creating an atmosphere that keeps players entertained and engaged. According to Mecca Bingo Managing Director Andy Crump, the caller’s role is crucial to delivering an unforgettable experience for the customers.

“Our bingo callers have a hugely important role to play in delivering brilliant entertainment experiences for our customers. They create the atmosphere for every game, make sure that every customer is engaged, announce all our lucky winners, and most definitely help to create exciting memories for all our players,” Crump said.

The Caller of the Year competition is designed to celebrate these individuals who bring so much energy and personality to their role. “In addition to clear voices and top calling skills, the judging panel was looking for big personality and talent for our Bingo Caller of the Year. We found that in Kelly and we’ll be backing her all the way when she represents Mecca at the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition in November.”

Mecca Bingo Expands Offerings with Line Dancing Classes

One of the standout features of Horton’s performance during the competition was her line dancing skills, which added an extra layer of entertainment to her bingo calling. In recognition of this unique talent, Mecca Bingo has announced that it will be offering line dancing classes at its locations. This new offering is part of Mecca Bingo’s ongoing effort to provide a more interactive and engaging experience for its customers.

The decision to introduce line dancing classes reflects Mecca’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and offering something unique for its players. By combining bingo with other forms of entertainment, such as line dancing, Mecca aims to create a more immersive experience that appeals to a wide range of players.

A Growing Trend: The Rise of Creative Bingo Experiences

Mecca Bingo’s decision to introduce line dancing classes is part of a broader trend in the bingo industry. Operators across the UK are increasingly looking for ways to make their bingo halls more dynamic and appealing to a younger, more diverse audience. From themed bingo nights to partnerships with comedians and musicians, bingo halls are becoming entertainment hubs that offer much more than just traditional games.

In July, for example, Dabbers Bingo in London hosted its Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2024, where comedians competed for a £1,000 prize and a year-long contract with Dabbers Social Bingo. Events like these are helping to breathe new life into the bingo industry, making it more attractive to younger generations.

Looking Ahead: Horton’s Journey to the National Stage

As Kelly Horton prepares for the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition in Wakefield this November, all eyes will be on her to see if she can bring home the national title. Her passion for the game, combined with her unique blend of talents, makes her a strong contender for the top spot.

FAQs About Mecca Bingo Crowns Kelly Horton as Caller of the Year 2024

1. Who won Mecca Bingo’s Caller of the Year 2024 competition?

Kelly Horton from Mecca Bingo’s Brierley Hill, Dudley location, won the Caller of the Year 2024 competition.

2. What made Kelly Horton stand out in the competition?

Kelly Horton’s unique combination of skilled calling and line dancing helped her secure the top spot. Her ability to engage with the audience and her charismatic stage presence also played a major role in her victory.

3. How long has Kelly Horton been a bingo caller at Mecca Bingo?

Kelly Horton has worked as a bingo caller at Mecca Bingo’s Brierley Hill, Dudley location for 17 years.

4. What is the Caller of the Year competition?

The Caller of the Year competition is an annual event where Mecca Bingo callers from various locations across the UK compete in regional heats. Finalists are selected based on their skills, personality, stage presence, and audience engagement. The 2024 competition saw six finalists competing for the title.

5. Where was the final event of the Caller of the Year competition held?

The final event was held at Mecca Bingo Wednesbury, where six finalists competed for the title.

6. What is the next step for Kelly Horton after winning the Mecca Bingo Caller of the Year 2024 competition?

Kelly Horton will compete in the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition, where she will face bingo callers from other operators, independent bingo halls, and holiday parks. The event will take place in Wakefield in November 2024.

7. What new offering has Mecca Bingo introduced following the competition?

Mecca Bingo has introduced line dancing classes for players, inspired by Kelly Horton’s line dancing talents showcased during the competition.

8. What role do bingo callers play at Mecca Bingo?

Bingo callers play a crucial role in creating an engaging and entertaining atmosphere. They are responsible for announcing the numbers, engaging the audience, and ensuring customers enjoy their experience. Mecca Bingo places great emphasis on the personality and skills of its bingo callers.

9. Who is Andy Crump, and what did he say about the competition?

Andy Crump is the Managing Director of Mecca Bingo. He emphasized the importance of bingo callers in delivering entertaining experiences and praised Kelly Horton’s personality, calling skills, and ability to create lasting memories for players.

10. What is the National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition?

The National Bingo Game Caller of the Year competition is a national event where the best bingo callers from across the UK compete. This includes callers from operators, independent bingo halls, and holiday parks. It is considered the top competition for bingo callers in the country.

11. How does Mecca Bingo stay competitive in the entertainment industry?

Mecca Bingo continually enhances its offerings by adding interactive activities like line dancing classes, themed bingo nights, and engaging events to appeal to a wide range of players. This helps Mecca Bingo remain competitive in the evolving entertainment industry.

12. What other similar events have been hosted in the UK?

In July, Dabbers Bingo in London hosted the Bingo Comedy Caller Contest 2024, where comedians competed for a £1,000 prize and a year-long contract with Dabbers Social Bingo.