King Conker of World Championships abdicates with ‘great sadness’

The King Conker of the World Conker Championships has announced his retirement from the ceremonious role “with great sadness”.

David Jakins has undertaken the honorary mascot job at the annual autumn event for the past two decades.

The new king for Sunday’s showdown in Northamptonshire will be Jim Packer, with Jakins’ daughter Fee Aylmore becoming Queen Conker.

Jakins said: “It is with great sadness that I step down from my role as King Conker after 20 wonderful years. However, I am extremely pleased to pass this role on to my daughter, Fee, who will be a wonderful queen.”

Organisers of the championships, which sees contestants from across the globe flock to Southwick each year to smash the conkers of opposing players, said Jakins had retired “due to reduced mobility”.

His reign has not been without controversy after he became embroiled in cheating claims when he won the contest in 2024 – allegedly with a steel conker. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing.