Bingo Caller Determined To Be Number One

12th November

SCOTLAND'S champion bingo caller is bidding to bring the UK crown back to Edinburgh later this month.

James Cook, 31, from Fountainpark, will take on five other callers from across England and Wales. He beat his Capital rival Alan Brown, from Wester Hailes, at the Scottish final last month.

Since his victory, he revealed he has been stopped in the street by fans wishing him luck in the London contest on November 25. Mr Cook, of Slateford, said: "I want this so much. Scotland has never won this title and I'm determined to give it my best shot. I want to show the judges I have the flair to be an ambassador for such a popular industry."

The National Bingo Caller of the Year final will be hosted by actress Lorraine Chase. The winner will enjoy an all-expenses paid busman's holiday to call bingo in a Las Vegas casino.