Incredible photos of gurning legend who could fold his face in two
Dai Llewelyn used his unique rubbery face to bring laughter to families for decades - appearing at carnivals, on stage and even on postcards
WITH the bizarre ability to fold his face in two, Dai Llewelyn's gurning gob was one of the most recognisable in the country.
His elastic jaw allowed him to pull a face as grotesque as it was hilarious — making him a perfect subject for cheeky postcards that were sent from seaside resorts across Britain.
But despite his cartoonish demeanour, the true story behind this champion gurner tells of a quiet but colourful life in rural Wales.
Dai Llewelyn kept locals in the small town of Mountain Ash, Cynon Valley, entertained with his rubber-faced antics over his 87 happy years there.
Born in 1896, Dai was interested in the arts and performing from an early age and even helped bring big acts to the remote area.
His expert gurning got him on stages across the country — including a stint under the bright lights of London's Hammersmith Palais.
There he met singing icon Gracie Fields and in 1924 invited her back to Wales to perform for the coal-mining community in Mountain Ash.
Such was his impact on her that the star agreed to return and perform again in 1938 at the small Mountain Ash Pavillion right at the height of her popularity.
And Dai's own talent - aided by his teeth loss in later years - would be recognised with several honours and accolades.
Few awards surpassed his victory in the Ugly Duckling competition on the hit TV show The Golden Shot — hosted by the legendary Bob Monkhouse.
But his runner up finishes in the World Gurning Championships — where competitors battle it out to pull the most hideous face possible — were also up there among his most impressive career highlights.
He reached second place a total of three times in his illustrious face-bending career.
But day-to-day Dai was more than happy to keep families giggling with appearances at carnivals and fairs in Cynon Valley.
Local historian Bernard Baldwin said that the much-loved Mr Llewelyn was "the master of make-believe”.
He wrote in his book Mountain Ash Remembered: "He figured prominently in every carnival ever held in the town, and year after year appeared in some costume that was original — and often unique.
"On one occasion he appeared as the Lord Mayor of Mountain Ash, fresh from the soup kitchen.
“He appeared in a tattered suit, a battered top hat and wearing a chain of office.
“On another occasion he appeared as Popeye — and nobody looked more like the famous sailor than Popeye himself!”
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His death in 1983, at the age of 87, was a blow to the community.
But his legacy lives on as the World Gurning Championship continues to grow in prestige and competitor numbers.
Taking place at the Egremont Crab Fair in the Lake District — which having been established in 1267 is one of the longest-running fairs in the world — the gurning contest is among its most popular events.
Contestants have to put their heads through a horse collar and "snarl like a dog, look savage, and distort their faces".
If he knew today the impact he has had on the noble sport, Dai Llewelyn would be sure to crack a smile — no matter how ugly it was.
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