Beard Liberation Front
Press release, 19th February
Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
ITV Wales Political Editor Adrian Masters joins St David’s Day Beard of Wales poll
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that ITV Wales Political Editor Adrian Masters has joined the the St David’s Day Beard of Wales 2019 poll after write-in votes saw him reach 5% of the total poll in early voting.
The campaigners say that it is relatively rare for TV journalists to wear beards and until recently it was thought that the BBC had an informal ban on hirsute presenters. It may be that ITV has adopted a more progressive policy.
The poll aims to determine the St David’s Day Beard of Wales, the Welsh beard that offers the most positive national image.
The campaigners say that images of St David suggest that the Welsh Saint himself may have had an organic beard
Welsh rugby prop Adam Jones won the Award in 2013, voted for by BLF supporters, just shaving former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Another rugby player Leigh Halfpenny won in 2014. In 2015 the Award went to Thee Faction musician Chris Fox in 2016 footballer Joe Ledley and in 2017 to Charcutier Illtud Llyr Dunsford, with Chris Fox winning again in 2018
It is the seventh time the Award has been given following the traditional UK Beard of the Year at the end December each year and the BLF says it is a mark of Wales as a modern nation on St David’s Day that beards are now playing an increasingly significant role in national life.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said Competition for the Beard of Wales is bristling more than ever in 2019 reflecting the growing stature of beards in national life.
Beard of Wales 2019
Jake Ball, rugby player
Chris Elmore, politician
Michael Sheen, actor
Tom Jones, singer
Grant Tucker, Sunday Times journalist
Joe Ledley, footballer
Gruff Rhys, musician
Hefin David, politician
Huw Irranca-Davies, politician
Gwilym Pugh, model
Adrian Masters, TV journalist
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