A LEADING clown union has complained that creepy clown sightings are putting young people off clowning as a career.
The National Union of Mimes, Clowns and Pierrots say that the UK’s once-thriving clowning industry could die out if children see clowns as sinister or frightening.
Norman Steele, professionally known as Jim-Jo, said: “When I grew up in Yorkshire, you either went down the mines, did factory work or took up clowning.
“My father was a clown, his father was a clown, the bucket of glitter handed down the generations, but my eight-year-old thinks there’s something ‘chilling’ about it and it breaks my heart.
“The kiddies’ faces crumple in terror when they used to light with delight, the dogs howl, and it’s all thanks to these Halloween costumes and these Americans.
“There’s nothing scary about a clown. Nothing. We’re hilarious.”
Stephen Malley, aged 20, said: “I’m two years into a three-year vocational course at clown college, but to be honest I’m wondering if I made the right decision.
“But apparently while 65 per cent of graduates go into clowning or clown-related work, the rest end up in accountancy or politics.”
