Firm’s 14.8m spam texts
Pie championship swaps meat & potato for chicken over ‘methane issues’
Competitors get stuck in at Harry’s Bar in 2017 THE World Pie Eating Championship thought its flatulence fix for competitors would come up trumps but it has caused an almighty stink.
Organisers of the annual contest will use chicken as a filling next Tuesday over fears the traditional meat and potato makes eaters break wind.
They reckon the move will help tackle climate change and stop crowds turning their noses up at the event. But purists have cried fowl on the switch, saying there is little time to adjust training regimes and chicken is too easy.
Tony Callaghan, owner of contest venue Harry’s Bar in Wigan, Greater Manchester, said: “We’re steering things away from red meat this year for health considerations and also to avoid the methane issue.” He cited “the warnings about greenhouse gasses from cattle and the controversy involving farting at major darts tournaments which recently distracted players”.
But Dave Smyth, the 1992 winner, said: “Competition has been softened. There is great skill in downing a pie without spillage, crumb splatter or swallow-stall – talent developed over years. Chicken is less demanding and requires a different and less challenging technique.
“The introduction of chicken means lower-level weekend competitors will be mixing it with the elite.
“I predict not just a shock win but an unrepresentative win, possibly even by a southerner. The title must not go to Warrington or Stockport. This last-minute rule change is like swapping regulation footballs for plastic balls. Cristiano Ronaldo would not tolerate playing with plastic balls.” EX-CHAMP DAVE SMYTH ON FILLING SWITCH ROW REIGNING CHOMPS Last year’s winners Vicky Lindley and Martin Appleton-Clare Pie filling row A TAX returns company that send out 14.8 million spam texts has been hit with a £200,000 fine.
Tax Returned sent the marketing texts between July 2016 and October 2017.
The Information Commissioner’s Office said the London firm “drove 2,100 people to complain”.
Chicken requires a different and less challenging technique