THERE'S sure to be a "full house" at Gala Bingo in Morecambe on Sunday to celebrate bingo caller Patrick Bowler's 20 years in the business

Manager Dean Brackenbury has invited Patrick's previous colleagues to join the party along with current staff and customers.

Close friend Roland Simpson, who has known Patrick for most of his time as a caller, will present him with a "This is Your Life" book.

Patrick, who has just celebrated his 44th birthday, reached the pinnacle of his career in 1995 when he won the national title "Bingo Caller of the Year."

As part of his prize he visited Los Angeles and Las Vegas and even called the numbers for a linked game between the famous Caesar's Palace and the Gala Club in Morecambe.

Later the same year he performed his art at the Variety Club annual ball, helping to raise £250,000 for charity from two games of bingo.

Dean has calculated that, during his 20 years with the company, Patrick has called over 32 million numbers in more than 500,000 games of bingo.

"But he's much more than just a bingo caller", says Dean. "He's a genuine entertainer and often comperes his own version of popular game shows. He is a real character and very popular with the members."

Patrick, who has been married to wife Diane for 11 years and lives in Westgate, started his career in his home town of Birmingham before moving to Gala Morecambe. His biggest challenge, he says, is working with a small audience.

"Entertaining five thousand is easy. It's hard work making a hundred people feel welcome, but it's far more satisfying."

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