An English castle appointed a new jester after six competitors battled it out for the job in a Britain’s Got Talent style competition on Thursday (29th May).

A J James beat five other competitors in the International Jester Tournament to become the new Fool of Muncaster Castle in the Lake District. He inherits the title from last year’s winner American Paul Garbanzo.

A J got the biggest audience cheer and won the judges’ vote with a performance that included a mix of comedy, acrobatics and escapology.

Peter Frost Pennington, whose family are celebrating their 800th anniversary at Muncaster this year, said: “There were six great competitors but A J James really had the crowd in stitches and that’s what we were looking for. He is a very worthy successor both to Paul Garbanzo, who has done an excellent job as our jester over the last year, and to the great Tom Fool himself.”

Muncaster was home to the original Tom Fool around 400 years ago and is believed to be the only Castle in the world that appoints a modern day jester.

A J James from Penrith in Cumbria will hold the title Fool of Muncaster for the next year and have his name carved in a replica of Tom Fool’s hat made from wood, as well as receiving a salary of a crate of Cumberland Ale every month.

After the event he said: “I’ve been a pretender all these years but now I can tell people that I’m a real Fool. My kids aren’t usually impressed with what I do but since I told them that they were going to see me perform at a castle they’ve been really excited. And for me the opportunity to perform at a castle has been really inspiring.”

The International Jester Tournament was the finale of the Festival of Fools which is sponsored by Jennings Cumberland Ale.

West Lakes Renaissance - the urban regeneration company for Furness and West Cumbria - has also contributed £12,000 towards the Festival of Fools. The organisation supports events that celebrate the area's culture and attract visitors - helping to bring money into the local economy and create new opportunities for local people to develop skills and job prospects in the cultural sector.

Denise Smalley from West Lakes Renaissance, who was one of the judges, said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic event and it’s been a real pleasure to support it. People have come here from far and wide and it is a great showcase for Muncaster, the West Lakes and Cumbria.”

This year’s competitors also included Robert Blake from Holland, who has been the Dutch Street Magic Champion for three years in a row; a Franco German duo, Los Bonobos; Mad Maureen; Circus Fudge; and Danny Zapparelli.