South Shields schoolboy Logan is a real joker

Eleven-year-old Logan John Ferguson, from Harton Primary School, in South Shields, made it to the final 20 of an national joke-telling competition, Voice Box.

The competition which kicked off in September last year, has seen hundreds of schoolchildren take part in the hope of making it through to the final at Speaker’s House, in Westminster, London.

Finalist Logan delighted the audience of politicians, parents and children, with his joke: ‘Why couldn’t the pirate play cards?

‘Because he was sitting on the deck!’

The young comedian, who was presented with a certificate, said: “I’m known for being a joker at school and home, but I’m a bit nervous.”

Speaking about what he wants to be when he grows up, he said he would like to be a comedian or an illustrator.

The annual competition is organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and partnered by The Communication Trust.

It aims to remind people that there are children in every classroom who need support to help them speak and understand what is being said to them.

South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck, who attended the event, said: “Logan’s joke was fantastic: a true comedian in the making.

“I was so proud to share the same stage with him.”

John Bercow, Speaker of The House of Commons, said: “It is extremely important that children with speech, language and communication needs receive the support they require to reach their potential.”