Created to celebrate the best bits of being a kid in 2023, the comic was edited in collaboration with thousands of kids – the most ever in Beano’s history. They truly unearthed the root of the problem with their joke: “What happened to the maths teacher’s garden? Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Stirling cheekily suggested that Sir Mick Jagger, who like the Beano also celebrates a big birthday this week - 80 - must be a reader of the publication as his band the Rolling Stones are still young at heart. All of this year’s finalist jokes have made the nation laugh and giggle and we thank every single class that took part in the competition. Mike Stirling, director of mischief (great job title) at Beano Studios said: ‘As Brits we’re renowned for our sense of humour and at Beano we always believe that the best jokes come from kids. The King can be seen wondering if he is the monarch in Beanotown, and the Queen informs him that children rule in the fictional town. Footballer Marcus Rashford is in there as well after being voted as the most inspirational celebrity, while TV presenting duo Ant and Dec topped the list of famous people that youngsters would invite to their birthday party.Along with all the dressing up, trick or treating and trying to bite a floating apple, we love all things spooky – especially when it comes to Halloween facts and trivia! Titled BEANOW, the pull-out magazine has been created solely by children, who told Dennis in their own words and pictures why it’s great to be a kid in 2023. A nationwide poll of 3,000 kids aged 7-14 determined which celebrities would be included and who would make the front cover. Rocket Licensing, which manages the rights for the property in the UK, is preparing an exciting schedule of consumer products and events, as not only will Beano be celebrating, but Roger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx and the Bash Street Kids will also be celebrating their 70th anniversary milestones, while The Numskulls will be marking their 30th anniversary.

Other notable stars to grace the comic include Euros winning lioness Jill Scott, YouTuber KSI, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, singer Adele, F1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland – all voted for by kids themselves. The festivities follow in the footsteps of Dennis’s 70th anniversary which saw celebrations by fans young and old, and the brand and Dennis trending worldwide on Twitter across the year. A Beano digital magazine subscription transports you and your children into the world of the beloved bad boy and canine duo - Dennis The Menace and Gnasher, as well as other fan favourites like The Bash Street Kids, Rodger the Dodger, and Minnie the Minx. Stacked full of mischief and memorable characters, the colourful and chaotic publication is home to some of the most iconic and beloved comic book personalities. The comic’s director of mischief Mike Stirling said: “As Beano celebrates its 85th anniversary, it continues to champion the power and joy of childhood by doing what it’s always done, showing kids being kids.The special year will be commemorated across 2023 with a special comic issue, a national press and media campaign, schools’ activity and special appearances from the comic’s celebrity fans. Mike Stirling, head of “mischief” at The Beano, said: “As Beano proudly celebrates its 85th anniversary, it continues to champion the power and joy of childhood by doing what it’s always done, showing kids being kids. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you.

More than 4,100 issues of The Beano have been printed since its launch in 1938 with over 70,000 comic strips and 700 characters, including Dennis and Gnasher, the Bash Street Kids and Billy Whizz. Other stars from the worlds of showbiz, sports and royalty include Adele, Ant and Dec and Wrexham FC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob ­McElhenney.

Jokes poured in from all corners of the country for this year’s competition, and whittled down to a shortlist of the Top Ten funniest schools by Beano’s gag masters before the public crowned the winner. Now the world’s longest-running weekly comic, Beano has recently reported its fifth year of consecutive sales growth. Beano celebrates the anniversary in 2023 and Rocket Licensing is preparing a celebratory range of consumer products to mark the milestone.