Beano, the world’s longest-running weekly comic, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan are looking for Britain’s funniest family.
As kids and parents face extended periods indoors, the national competition launched today by Beano aims to lift spirits, tickle funny-bones and keep families entertained as they stay home.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, a former maths teacher and father-of-three, is throwing his weight behind the Beano initiative alongside YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
Families can enter the competition by submitting their homemade funny videos at beano.com/funfam
they can submit short videos of 15 seconds in four categories until 24 May:
· Funniest Family Joke
· Funniest Family Prank
· Funniest Family Face
· Funniest Family Song and Dance
A team of Beano gag writers led by head judge Romesh will select a shortlist, before asking the British public to vote online for the final winner.
Romesh Ranganathan, comedian and Beano Head Judge, said: “I know families can be hilarious so being asked to be Head Judge to help Beano find Britain’s Funniest Family is a dream job. At the moment I think we could all do with a smile and I can’t wait to watch all the dances, faces, jokes and pranks that UK families come up with.”
The winning family will be brought to life in a one-off strip in the comic which will go on sale, as well as receiving an official Beano’s Funniest Family trophy, a year’s Beano subscription for the family and friends, and a Nintendo Switch.
Mike Stirling, Editorial Director of Beano Studios, said: “At Beano we’ve been making kids big and small giggle for 80 years and the comic has always been there during difficult times to help raise a smile when needed. As families stay home together we know there’s comedy gold happening from dad jokes and pranks, to funny faces and dances and we want to find and crown the funniest family out there.”
The initiative was developed in partnership with YoungMinds to encourage families to spend time doing positive activities to help reassure children and reduce their anxiety. Beano and YoungMinds have also created practical activities and advice to support families’ wellbeing during isolation and keep spirits high available on beano.com.
Tom Madders, Director of Campaigns at YoungMinds said, “In these strange and often difficult times, it’s really important for our mental health that we can still have fun and make each other laugh. That’s why we’re thrilled to be partnering with Beano for their competition to find Britain’s Funniest Family. Life is challenging for many children and young people right now so we hope this gives families the opportunity to be silly and come up with some hilarious videos together.”
The Beano was first published in July 1938 and continued production throughout WWII to keep the nation smiling. To continue to help families avoid boredom and raise smiles Beano is also offering a special comic subscription offer to every family who enters.
Every week the Beano is crammed full of mischief, mayhem and fun, bringing families hilarious stories about their favourite comic book characters, from The Bash Street Kids and Minnie the Minx to Bananaman and Dennis and Gnasher and every day boredom busters are available on Beano.com.
Beano’s Funniest Family is open for entries now, families can enter at beano.com/funfam