World’s WACKIEST faces revealed… with the 19-time gurning champion de-throned

The world’s wackiest faces have officially been revealed at the bizarre annual World Gurning Championships – and it has seen the 19-time winner finally dethroned. 

Ryan Barton scooped the men’s accolade at the contest in the market town of Egremont, Cumbria, this weekend. 

The 42-year-old father-of-two’s victory broke the 19-time winning streak of Tommy Mattinson who was unable to compete this year due to ‘ill health’. 

And in the women’s category, last year’s world champion Claire Lister was also overthrown in ‘dramatic’ fashion, finding herself ‘pipped at the post’ by Lynn Kelly. 

The unusual sport of gurning sees competitors battle it out to make the strangest facial expression, framed by a part of a horse harness called the collar.

It is a rural English tradition, with contests long held in villages across the country. 

But the practice has now gone worldwide, with the victors beating out dozens of competitors from across the globe to bring home the bacon. 

They had to hope the wind would not change while they did so – as judges crown whoever transforms their normal expression most to create their gurn.  

Ryan Barton (pictured) scooped the men’s accolade at the contest in the market town of Egremont, Cumbria, this weekend 

And in the women’s category, last year’s world champion Claire Lister (pictured this year) was also overthrown in ‘dramatic’ fashion, finding herself ‘pipped at the post’ by Lynn Kelly 

The unusual sport of gurning (pictured, at this year’s championships) sees competitors battle it out to make the strangest facial expression, framed by a part of a horse harness called the collar 

The battle was one of several events at the historic Egremont Crab Fair and Sports, established in 1267 to show off local producers.

The programme for the two-day affair also boasts offerings such as wheelbarrow races and horn-blowing competitions. 

The event organisers said of Mr Barton’s win: ‘Ryan said this was dedicated to his uncle, Peter Jackman, who is another of our gurning legends.

‘Sadly he passed a few years back, but his memory definitely lives on.’

They also wished the absent long-time victor Mr Mattinson ‘all the best’ with his recovery, adding they ‘hope to see you back on stage again soon’.

Of the women’s side, the organisers said: ‘Drama in the women’s Gurning Championship, where we have a new world champion… Well done Lynn.’

But not all was lost for defeated long-running champion Ms Lister, as her daughter Kendall came out on top in the junior gurning category.  

It is a rural English tradition, with contests long held in villages across the country. Pictured: One of this year’s championship competitors 

But the practice (pictured at this year’s championships) has now gone worldwide, with the victors beating out dozens of competitors from across the globe to bring home the bacon 

They had to hope the wind would not change while they did so – as judges crown whoever transforms their normal expression most to create their gurn. Pictured: One of this year’s championship competitors 

The battle (pictured) was one of several events at the historic Egremont Crab Fair and Sports, established in 1267 to show off local producers

Of the women’s side, the organisers said: ‘Drama in the women’s Gurning Championship, where we have a new world champion… Well done Lynn [pictured]’