A Richard Madeley lookalike competition baffled Stockport locals this weekend – and the winner of the contest was very unexpected indeed.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 69, might not have been too pleased that it was won by a dog – Larry the pug.
Just 16 people officially entered the competition which was organised by a ‘Mrs Jones’ with around 200 in attendance at Stockport’s Alexandra Park on Sunday to watch proceedings.
Larry the pug proudly wore a wig as he posed for his winning pictures with his family including nine-year-old Molly Glover and her mother Louise.
Finalists also included locals Arthur Hassall, Paul Lockitt and Kate Trevor who all posed for a picture together at the end of the afternoon.
Earlier this month mystery engulfed the local area as mystery flyers advertising the competition popped up.
A Richard Madeley lookalike competition baffled Stockport locals this weekend – and the winner of the contest was very unexpected indeed
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 69, might not have been too pleased that it was won by a dog – Larry the pug (seen with owner Molly Glover, nine)
Social media speculation began after they appeared as it was revealed there would be prizes on offer for the top three lookalikes
Nicci Owen, who owns a coffee shop in the park, said the flyers were ‘dotted across notice boards’ but then mysteriously disappeared.
She told BBC Radio Manchester: ‘No one saw who put them up but, obviously as soon as anyone saw it they were just so excited. But, is it real?’
In May, it was claimed Richard reportedly faced the axe from Good Morning Britain amid ITV’s ‘bloodbath’ as the channel makes sweeping cuts to its daytime programming.
The broadcaster, who is reportedly paid a whopping £300K a year, was said to be left furious but managed to negotiate a new part time contract with bosses, which would see his hours and pay significant cut.
Meanwhile, according to the The Sun, Lorraine Kelly, 65, whose own show has been cut down to 30 minutes, was ‘asked to retire’ but she declined, opting instead to see out her reported £500K contact before leaving ITV for good at the end of next year.
A source told the publication: ‘This one has really rocked the ITV corridors because Richard is such a big name and a legend of daytime telly.
‘On Wednesday, word started to spread he’d been axed. But, by Friday, it became apparent Richard had a meeting with the network’s most senior bosses and he’s now being kept on in a more part-time role.
The finalists with their prizes (L to R) Arthur Hassall, Paul Lockitt, Molly Glover and Pug Larry and Kate Trevor
Larry the pug proudly wore a wig as he posed for his winning pictures with his family including nine-year-old Molly Glover and her mother Louise
Molly proudly posed with Larry the pug who won the competition
Nicci Owen, who owns a coffee shop in the park, said the flyers were ‘dotted across notice boards’ but then mysteriously disappeared (Richard seen on GMB)
Earlier this month mystery engulfed the local area as mystery flyers advertising the competition popped up
Social media speculation began after flyers appeared as it was revealed there would be prizes on offer for the top three lookalike
Contestants line up at the start of the posing and voting
Contestant Paul Lockitt does his best Richard pose
contestant does their Richard pose watched on by other contestants
Just 16 people officially entered the competition which was organised by a ‘Mrs Jones’
‘He’s got himself back on the show – but his hours are significantly cut.’
It comes as in recent months Richard has been suffering from a painful injury and sporting a wrist strap.
Richard opened up about his ailment during an appearance on GMB recently as he revealed he fell over on holiday.
As Susanna Reid pointed out his wrist guard and remarked it looked ‘sore’, Richard explained: ‘It is a double fracture of the wrist. I was walking quite quickly down a steep pavement, in France actually.’
Richard continued: ‘It was loose and it flipped up. It flipped me forward and I thought… ‘Am I going to win or is gravity going to win?’
‘Gravity won. I hit the ground hard. I’ve got a double fracture. We’ll see how it goes.’
Susanna asked: ‘Is it sore at the moment?’
Around 200 people were in attendance at Stockport’s Alexandra Park on Sunday to watch proceedings
Contestants Louise Westall & Steve Perrin
One posed with a Tesco bag with one of his quotes on it
The signs were set up early in the morning
In 1994, Richard was arrested for shoplifting a bottle of champagne from a Tesco store in Greater Manchester
The pink bag referred to the incident
A contestant with her Richard pose watched on by other hopefuls
Crowds and press gathered to watch
An early entrant registers with organiser ‘Mrs Jones’ and receives a wristband
She handed out wristbands for the contestants
Contestant Paul Lockitt was an early favourite and posed with his wristband
The event drew huge crowds
Winner Larry the pug and owner Molly Glover with her mum Louise
Many of the contestants gave interviews to the press
Contestants pose up before the event
To which Richard replied: ‘I’m not discussing the pain threshold. We don’t think about pain.’
This wasn’t the end of Richard’s health woes as he then suffered through another show days later with a sore threat.
Opening the show, Susanna quipped: ‘I’m a bit concerned we might lose you through the programme…’
A croaky-voiced Richard pointed at his throat and asked: ‘This thing? I think it’ll get stronger throughout the programme. That’s my prediction.’
