Kmflett's Blog

Beard of Liberation Front

25th July 2020

Contact Keith Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social

Author Michael Rosen voted Best Beard of Lockdown

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that author Michael Rosen has won a one-off poll to find the best beard of lockdown.

Rosen shaved others who have grown notable lockdown beards including actor Michael Sheen, ‘Pub Landlord’ Al Murray and cricket commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.

Michael Rosen got 62.39% of the vote compared to 14.16% for Michael Sheen

Lockdown has seen numbers grow a beard, as they were working from home in many cases, and hairdressers and barbers were shut.

The campaigners say that its usual quarterly and annual votes for the best beard emphasise their positive impact in the public eye. By definition, such an impact has been very limited during lockdown.

With communication via Zoom, Skype and Teams, it has been possible to identify some contenders for Beard of Lockdown.

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Michael Rosen spent a long period in hospital earlier this year while lockdown was in force. Throughout this time his beard remained resilient and indeed has flourished. He has a great following for his books and poetry and he clearly also has a large number of people who admire his beard. Perhaps his writing and his hirsuteness go together

Beard of Lockdown

Joe Root, England cricket captain now wearing a stylish beard

Mike Dean, Football referee, appeared with a beard for the first time

Al Murray, ‘The Pub Landlord’ grew a lockdown beard

Andy Murray, the tennis champion often has facial hair but grew out his beard in lockdown

Michael Sheen, actor who has grown an organic lockdown beard

Michael Rosen, author who spent many weeks in hospital. Fortunately both he and his beard have survived lockdown

Andy Carroll, footballer who briefly appeared with controversial ‘mutton chops’ facial hair

Chris Woakes, cricketer, who has grown an organic lockdown beard

Andros Townsend, footballer who now sports a fully organic beard

David Beckham, often has facial hair but in lockdown the model for Cottagecore

Tony Archer, Archers character who grew a Hagrid radio beard before being made to shave