sillysausage
Tuesday 17th September 2019 2:58pm
Derbyshire
93 posts
Poundland today announced the winner of its search for the retailer's first ever gag writer was Andrew Timms from Leicester.
Leicester born Andrew Timms, who wowed a Poundland audience at an impromptu performance at the alternative Festival Fringe at its Edinburgh store, is set to visit Poundland's HQ in the Midlands later this month to take his first commission.
The value retailer also announced that the new gag writer would be receiving £500 for taking on the mantle of jester-in-residence, after his stunning one liner: "I bought a calculator the other day. It only adds up to a hundred. Man in the shop told me it was a limited addition".
On his visit to Poundland's Midlands base Andrew Timms will meet MD Barry Williams, who fancies himself as a stand-up comic, and the buyers who will want his gags adorning their products.
Following Poundland's nationwide search for the joke writer, the value retailer saw over 500 applications from across the UK.
Three shortlisted candidates from the retailer's gag writer search were selected to perform their own five-minute stand-up routine live on 22nd August at Poundland's Lothian Road store. All three brought their A-game but members of the public and a panel of Poundland's top jokers picked Andrew as the top Gagger.
The competition was tough with one of Andrew's competitors, Hannah Sowerby, being playwright and writer for BBC Newcastle's comedy radio show "It's Grin Up North".
Andrew Timms, Poundland's Gag Writer said "I've been gagging, sorry gigging, for years on the comedy circuit and I've finally made it. This is no joke, I'm excited to start crafting some comedy with Barry and the Poundland team."
Andrew will now be writing the new gags for Poundland products, including the latest range of nuts and its famous gift card range.
Mark McDonagh, senior snacks buyer, said: "Gag writing is a serious business and the talent of the applicants was no joke, Andrew had some tough nuts to crack. We're looking forward to seeing more of his classic one liners."