The comedian has been waxing lyrical about why he plays and loves the sport
Benidorm star Johnny Vegas is swapping the screen for the green as he urges fans to get involved in the Bowls and Para Bowls competitions at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
King Charles will officially declare the Games open as he concludes the King’s baton relay at the OVO Hydro on July 23. The baton first left Buckingham Palace in March 2025, to mark 500 days until the start of the sporting event.
And King of comedy and lifelong bowls fan Johnny, has been waxing lyrical in a video about why he plays and loves the sport, which is one of the Commonwealth’s fastest growing.
He said: “A black beacon of hope leaves the palm and sets off on its course towards destiny. It comes in like a friendly neighbour just gently nudging people out of the way for a better view. It’s a coronation of brilliance, of genius, of why we left the caves in the first place. Exhilarating, at a gentle pace.”
Bowls and Para Bowls will take centre stage at the SEC in a new format injecting fun and an upbeat atmosphere into the event, with four rinks to watch and music.
Johnny, who bowls at his local club on Merseyside, added: “It’s something I’ve played all my life. It has this magical take on you that you just go “pfft, the other stuff can wait. (At Glasgow 2026) you can watch it, be inspired by it and it won’t cost you a fortune to play it the next day yourself – you just need a couple of bits of wood that are round.
“It’s the only safe sense of intoxication. We sit back in awe and majesty at those masters of the wood, of the bowl, of the length, of the distance. How is it that they get an audience with the gods while we just look on? It’s a rolling sense of magnificence. Don’t be consumed by envy, enjoy the majesty of it!
“You’ll watch the best of the best, but at every level there’s someone out there that wants to roll some woods with you. When that bowl rolls, we continue to exist, we move forward as a species. We evolve into something beautiful.”
Taking place indoors for the first time in Games’ history, the atmosphere is set to be electric bringing fans closer to the action in a spectacle of drama, unpredictability and guaranteed entertainment.
In an era where accessibility is a growing priority, the 55-year-old Lancastrian was also keen to highlight the inclusivity Bowls has long offered. Open to all ages and abilities, it is a sport where people from entirely different walks of life can find common ground.
The Commonwealth Games place from 23 July to 2 August with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in a world- class programme of 10 sports and six Para sports in four iconic venues across the city.
To find out more, visit glasgow2026.com
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