When visualising the world of free bingo, perhaps images of wealth, celebrity and glamour would not be the first to pop into your head. Indeed, mention of the game tends to conjure up an image of a phoenix nights-esque club, full of blue-rinsed ladies of a certain age, frantically daubing while a cheesy fella at the front enthusiastically shouts about “two little ducks” and “key of the door”.

Well, it turns out that this image may need updating. Over the years, bingo has begun to attract a younger, trendier clientele, who have fallen for the charms of this incredibly popular pastime. This may be due in no small part to its numerous celebrity fans extolling its virtues.

Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones is said to be a staunch supporter (perhaps due to her Welsh roots..?), while Sharon Osbourne has always been a huge fan, going as far as appearing in the ad campaign for Gala Bingo, promoting their online bingo site with evident relish. It has been reported that model Kate Moss and presenter Denise Van Outen also enjoy the “eyes down” experience, and Most Haunted presenter Yvette Fielding loves the game so much she recently held her hen night at a bingo hall.

Now, you may have noticed that these celebrity fans are all women, but don’t be fooled into thinking that bingo is solely for the fairer sex. In an interview with People, British World Champion boxer Carl Froch admitted to preferring a good game of bingo to a night out, while singer Robbie Williams recently entered a swanky Hollywood bingo fundraiser. It appears that the pastime’s charms may even extend to royalty, as Prince William was recently spotted relaxing after a stint at Sandhurst by – you guessed it – playing bingo.
So, the next time you’re invited out for a game, just imagine who you could bump into at your local bingo hall!