Gold launches its annual competition

Comedy channel Gold has announced the return of its annual Christmas cracker joke competition, which challenges the public to write their best festive gags inspired by the events of the last 12 months. 

Last year’s winning joke, chosen by public vote, was: ‘What type of peas ruin Christmas Dinner? MPs’, while in 2021 it  was: ‘Why are people cutting back on Brussels sprouts this Christmas? The cost of gas is too high!’ 

Entries have opened today for this year’s competition, with the winner receiving £1,500 experience and travel vouchers, a festive-themed food and drink hamper and box of bespoke Gold Christmas crackers.

The prize package also an novelty turkey costume that Lee Mack wears in the new  Gold show Blood Actually: A Murder, They Hope Mystery – a Christmas whodunit special with Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson returning as private detectives.

The competition closes at 11.59pm on Monday October 16.  Entries must be made by tweeting Christmas jokes – which must me ‘original, witty and family-friendly’ with the hashtag #GoldCrackers on X (formerly Twitter). Entrants must be  following @GoldChannel so organisers can  contact winners.

Nine runners-up will also receive a festive Christmas hamper and a box of crackers, which include the top six winning jokes.

Organisers suggest gags might be inspired by sporting moments such as England’s Lionesses reaching the World Cup final, royal milestones such as King Charles’ Coronation, political infamy such as Partygate or  pop culture phenomenon including the Barbie movie.

The best jokes will be shortlisted by a panel led by comedy critic Bruce Dessau, who said: ‘This competition allows the British public to flex their funny bones and collectively contribute to the groans and giggles that come with Christmas cracker jokes and I’ve no doubt that this year will see another fantastic selection of topical festive jests.’

Gerald Casey, Gold channel director, added: ‘We at Gold are delighted to once again challenge the nation to come up with witty and contemporary Christmas cracker jokes that get the whole country feeling festive in the run-up to Christmas, proving that laughter is the gift that keeps on giving.’

HOW TO ENTER 

Open to all UK residents aged 18 and over. To enter:

• Tweet an original Christmas-themed joke via your personal X (formerly Twitter) account including #GoldCrackers and be following @GoldChannel. Gold is looking for the most original festive jokes that put a comedy twist on the news agenda or pop culture across the past year
• Jokes must be original content and suitable for a family audience (e.g. no swear words or offensive content)
• The joke entry must not exceed 140 characters, including #GoldCrackers 
• Multiple entries are allowed
• All entrants must follow @GoldChannel on X so they can notify the winners - but the @GoldChannel handle does not need to be included in the joke entry
• Competition ends at 23:59 on October 16, 2023

Click here for full terms and conditions. 

Published: 2 Oct 2023