I decided to find out by spending the day at Mecca Bingo in South Shields with the man of the moment.

His first words to me were: "It's not as easy as you think."

If I'm honest, I didn't believe him. I mean, really, it can't be that difficult to call out numbers one after the other. Surely not...

But Blake's words rang true as I stood in front of hundreds of deadly serious punters on the stage at Mecca Bingo in South Shields, waiting to call out.

I'd never even played Bingo before, never mind call a game.

Blake, from Taylor Street, South Shields, is the first person from North East England to win National Bingo Caller of the Year competition – an accolade he's fiercely proud of.

"I'm immensely proud of what I have achieved," explained the 41-year-old.

"I've worked towards this for a long time now, and to be named the best bingo caller in the country is a great feeling."

Knowing I needed advice for the day, Blake told me: "Remember the three Cs. Keep calm, clear and confident.

"And whatever you do, don't use any rhymes. If you get it wrong, you might get lynched!" he joked.

When I arrived to see Blake work, I expected to see him at the front of a smoke-filled room, picking out balls, shouting out those "rhymes", to go along with the numbers – man alive, number five.

But that wasn't the case at all. The smoking ban had cleared the air, there wasn't a bingo ball in sight, and not one rhyme was shouted out.

The numbers are brought up on a computer screen at the touch of a button, and displayed around the hall for everyone to see.

I was surprised how seriously people took it. I spoke to a number of punters and they all said the same thing – they see bingo as an escape.

Gloria Moore, 63, from Victoria Road, South Shields, has been coming nearly every day for 40 years.

She said: "It's great to come and just forget about whatever troubles you're having and relax for a few hours.

"I love coming here, the staff are great and there is a great atmosphere. It's not just about winning but it's obviously nice when your luck is in."

"Blake's such a great character and definitely the best caller I've ever heard."

It's not just pensioners packing into the hall either.

Twenty-year-old Christine Wilki, who has been playing bingo for two years, said: "I come here nearly every day, it gives me peace.