Gravy Wrestling

This is how Starmer's Cabinet appointments should be decided - gravy wrestling for all those aspiring to be passengers on the increasingly non-mythical gravy train. 


'I competed in Gravy Wrestling Championships to escape 9-to-5 job and now have gravy addiction'

An NHS worker who competed in the World Gravy Wrestling Championships as an “escape” from his nine-to-five job has said he now has a “gravy addiction” and has the sauce with almost every meal.

Darren Machen, 45, said he had always dreamed of becoming a wrestler, and while at college in 1997 he staged a jelly wrestling match with his friends. After university, Darren fell into an NHS procurement job and later started comfort eating chocolate biscuits and crisps while doing little exercise until he reached 16st (102kg) in 2024.

However, he decided this year to compete in the World Gravy Wrestling Championships held in Rossendale, hoping the excitement would serve as an escape from his nine-to-five office job. Competing as The Yorkshire Pudding, Darren wore a T-shirt with a picture of the favourite Sunday roast accompaniment on it, along with a rugby scrum cap, Y-front pants and a cape.