Beard Liberation Front
Media Release 28th December
Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett 07803 167266
England cricketer Moeen shaves author Michael Rosen to win Beard of the Year vote
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that England cricketer Moeen Ali has won the vote for Beard of the Year 2022. With over 11,000 votes in the annual on-line poll he shaved the 2021 winner Michael Rosen. Comedian Alexei Sayle came third and poet Benjamin Zephaniah fourth.
The Award was first given in 2000 when the late Frank Dobson won. Author and broadcaster Michael Rosen won the on-line poll in 2021.
The campaigners say that all of the four finalists have demonstrated a positive public image of beard wearing in 2022
A longlist was shaved to a shortlist and after two semi-finals and a final the winner is announced on 28th December
The campaigners say that the criteria for inclusion on the longlist remain the same as in previous years:
A nominee must have had a beard for most of the calendar year
The beard wearer must have provided a positive public image of the hirsute
Beard lengths and styles are not taken into account.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, beards don’t always have the best public image. Many will be familiar with Roald Dahl’s The Twits for example. Beard of the Year aims to counter such prejudice and pogonophobia. Congratulations to Moeen Ali and commiserations to last year’s winner author and Arsenal fan Michael Rosen
Beard of the Year Shortlist
Roy Keane
Benjamin Zephaniah
Graham Norton
Michael Rosen
Moeen Ali
Hamza Yassin
Alexei Sayle
Gareth Southgate
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