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First-Time Entrant Tom O’Neil Wins World Pie Eating Title After Security Scare

Organisers heightened checks following a tip-off about a funnel scheme intended to fake faster eating.

Overview

  • Tom O’Neil, 24, a care home worker from Blackpool, won by eating a meat-and-potato pie in just over a minute at Harry’s Bar in Wigan.
  • Officials increased entry checks after a report that a competitor planned to hide a B&Q funnel under a coat to divert pie spillage.
  • Venue owner Tony Callaghan said staff looked for concealed funnels, and no foul play was reported during the event.
  • Competitors faced regulation pies measuring 12 cm in diameter and 3.5 cm in depth under the contest’s standard rules.
  • The championship has run in Wigan since 1992, and 2024 winner Michael Chant recorded a sub-20-second time.