Bristol comedian backs 2018 World Cup bid

A self-confessed pessimist who is experimenting with optimism, award-winning comic Mark Watson has turned his fighting talk to Bristol's 2018 World Cup bid.

The Bristolian, a regular on various BBC TV and radio shows including Have I Got News for You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Five Live's Fighting Talk, turned heads outside Temple Meads train station brandishing a "text BRISTOL to 62018" banner in support of the city's bid.

The man who kicked off his Radio Four credits with the series Mark Watson makes the World substantially better has set his sights on bringing the world's most-watched sporting event to his home town.

"This is a great example of the uses of optimism," he told the Evening Post.

"It is a very ambitious project to get World Cup football. In the past I would have been doubtful but the time is right now for Bristol to get something. It deserves it.

"The thought of actually having the World Cup here is huge."

Watson, 29, admitted he is learning from the example of all the optimists fronting the bid and hopes their hard work provides Bristol's next generation with a fresh set of reasons to be proud of their city.

"People in London assume the whole tournament will be held there. And I've always had to take quite a bit of stick for being a City fan," he said.