Pie and mighty!
A BUILDER has joined the upper crust after triumphing at the 27th World Pie Eating Championships.
Ian Gerrard beat five-time champion Martin Appleton-Clare to be named lord of the pies.
Held at Harry’s Bar in Wallgate, Wigan, the messy but much-loved contest has became an annual tradition in the town.
Martin has been seemingly untouchable when it comes to polishing off pastry, winning the last four events. But his reign came to end at the hands – or mouth – of Ian, who secured victory after gobbling down a meat and potato pie in 35.4 seconds.
Ian, who tipped the scales at more than 24 stone, pipped his rival by one second in front of a big crowd.
The win was made sweeter for the 41-year-old after he came within milliseconds of beating Martin in last year’s contest.
Ian, from Wigan, said: “I’m made up, it feels brilliant.
“Last year was my first time and I tried to eat it in one go. I thought I’d break it in half this year and it seems to have worked.
“It’s nice to get revenge and I’ll be back next year to defend my title.
“This is a great event for Wigan, it’s really good fun.”
This year’s contest saw a slight change to its format as last year’s top two competitors went head-to-head after a weigh-in.
A general competition was held before the heavyweight clash between Ian and Martin.
Tony Callaghan, owner of Harry’s Bar, said: “It was fantastic. You never know who is going to turn up. We get a group of lads who come from Swinton every year.
“I started it as a bit of fun and it’s just got bigger and bigger.
“It’s an important competition and people treat it seriously. These guys are athletes. It’s nice to have a different winner and I’m glad that he’s from Wigan as well.”
The event starts at ‘pie noon’ – or midday to the uninitiated – and attracts competitors, spectators and media coverage from around the world.
Those taking part are required to wolf down a pie as fast as they can.
It made global headlines in 2016 when organisers sent a pie into space attached to a weather balloon.
The pies for this year’s event were provided by The Raven pub and had a diameter of 12cm and a depth of 3.5cm.