London Tops Poll as UK City Most Desperate for a Laugh This Winter
A revealing new survey has uncovered that one in ten Britons struggle to remember the last time they experienced a genuine, hearty laugh. The study, which polled 2,000 adults across the nation, found that a concerning fifth of respondents have not properly laughed in over two weeks. Furthermore, two thirds of those surveyed openly confessed they are actively yearning for more joyful and lighthearted moments during the long, cold winter months.
Capital Craves Comedy as February Gloom Sets In
London emerged from the research as the UK city most desperately in need of a comedic lift. The capital headed the list of locations crying out for some light relief, with Londoners themselves strongly agreeing. An overwhelming eight in ten residents of the city stated they crave a significant mood boost during the colder season, a figure that surpasses any other region across the United Kingdom.
In response to these findings, comedian Jason Manford made a special visit to London to help spread some cheer. The visit was part of the launch of Cheez-It's new 'Comedy Credit Service', an initiative designed to inject humour into daily life. Manford commented on the timing, stating, "February can often feel like the longest and gloomiest month of the entire year. With London being revealed as the city most in need of a laugh, it made perfect sense to hit the capital's streets and spread a bit of joy and laughter where it's needed most."
Liverpool Crowned Britain's Funniest City
The comprehensive research also shed light on national perceptions of humour. Liverpool was proudly named Britain's funniest city, with 16% of participants identifying it as the place where they are most likely to be left in stitches from laughter. The Scouse city saw off strong competition from other humorous hubs, with Glasgow, London, Newcastle, and Birmingham rounding out the top five funniest places in the country.
On a personal level, the survey found that 66% of Brits believe they themselves are funny. The most popular self-identified comedy style was dry or sarcastic humour, claimed by 37% of respondents. This was closely followed by sharp banter at 16%, whilst 11% even acknowledged that their default humour tends to lean towards cheesy dad jokes.
Jason Manford added his thoughts on the regional findings, noting, "I'm not at all surprised to see so many northern cities featuring prominently in the top ten funniest places. When the weather is that consistently challenging, you really only have two choices: you either laugh or you cry. It seems clear that we in the North have collectively chosen laughter as our preferred coping mechanism."
Comfort and Comedy Initiative Launched
The research was commissioned by snack brand Cheez-It, which has partnered with Jason Manford for its comedy-focused campaign. Rui Frias from Cheez-It explained the motivation behind the initiative, which includes an Instagram competition offering prizes designed to cheer the nation.
"We understand that comfort comes in all shapes and sizes – it could be a shared laugh with friends or a much-needed escape from the typical February slump," said Frias. "That's precisely why we've packed our prize pot with genuine joy-boosters. These are designed to brighten even the greyest of days, ranging from 'Comedy Night In' bundles and mini 'Cheer Up Kits' to sessions of laughter yoga."
Frias concluded, "And because we are proudly pro-cheese in every sense, it's brilliant to see just how much humour truly matters to people right now. Britain is famously known for its dry sarcasm and razor-sharp wit. While the North may still claim the comedy crown, we are hopeful that a few well-placed belly laughs can help spread joy and cheer right across the entire nation this winter."
