One may not be a real captain, the other not a real colonel.
But together, they worked with military precision to break a Guinness world record this week… for the most shaving foam pies flung in someone’s face in one minute.
‘Captain Calamity’ and ‘Colonel Custard’ – aka Dov Citron and Paul Megram respectively – beat the long-held record, which stood at 71 pies, on Monday.
The Colonel took on the flinging role while the Captain bravely received the incoming foam projectiles.
‘Captain Calamity’ and ‘Colonel Custard’ – aka Dov Citron (above) and Paul Megram respectively – are the new Guinness world record holders for most shaving foam pies flung in someone’s face in one minute
They achieved their moment of glory at Kidtropolis at ExCeL in East London, on Monday with the Captain acting as ‘receiver’ and the Colonel as ‘flinger’
The previous record stood at 71 pies. The pair (Paul ‘Colonel Custard’ Megram, right) equalled this on their second attempt – and beat it with a magical 72nd pie on their fourth and final attempt
Their moment of glory occurred at Kidtropolis at ExCeL in East London, where they managed to equal the previous record on their second attempt, but then broke it on their fourth – and final – attempt by one all-important pie: a messy but magical 72.
Mr Citron, 40, of Edgware, north-west London, told MailOnline: ‘I have been pied by children at shows, parties and events for 15 years but nothing like this volume of shaving foam in such a short window of time.
‘The key is to stay calm, close your eyes, hold your breath and brace yourself.’
Captain Calamity and Colonel Custard join forces to set a new world record for the most shaving foam pies hurled at someone’s face in one minute
The children’s entertainer added: ‘I have been breaking things from an early age. I broke most of my toys. I break dishes and glasses all the time. I even broke my foot and my finger, so it was only natural to progress on to breaking records.
‘I used to get a Guinness World Record Book every year for my birthday when I was a kid and I always loved looking at the daftest records best. Never in a million years did I think I would join the ranks of these select few.’
The pair had the option to stand during the challenge but both instead chose a kneeling position – with Mr Megram, 50, holding his hands aloft as he was constantly handed more pies by assistants.
Mr Citron, 40, of Edgware, north-west London, told MailOnline: ‘I have been pied by children at shows, parties and events for 15 years but nothing like this volume of shaving foam in such a short window of time’
The Captain, who is also the star of The Captain Calamity Adventures YouTube show for kids, is now bitten by the record-breaking bug – and wants to attempt a record involving slime
Guinness rules stipulate that the distance between the two must be 1.50 metres, the pies have to fill the plate and have a peak, and only shaving foam can be used – and the flinger can be handed the pies.
Mr Megram – a former UK children’s entertainer of the year, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire – did not let the side down, and was a veritable pie-tossing machine.
‘I must admit I was exhausted. It was so much fun but I didn’t realise just how strenuous it would be. The pies were coming in at a rate of nearly two every second- and only the ones that hit were counted,’ he said.
Pie-tossing machine Mr Megram admitted being exhausted after hurling the foam pies in the world record attempt
And is the Captain, who is also the star of The Captain Calamity Adventures YouTube show for kids, now bitten by the record-breaking bug?
‘Of course. I’m hooked now,’ he told MailOnline. ‘I wonder if there’s a record involving slime or some other revolting substance. I’d love to do that.’
The previous holder of the record was Ashrita Furman, of Brooklyn, New York.
As of 2017, Furman has set more than 600 official Guinness Records and currently holds more than 191 records, including the record for holding the most Guinness world records.
The pies for the record attempts used to contain custard but, owing to food-wastage concerns, Guinness changed it to shaving foam-only.
Guinness rules stipulate that the distance between the two must be 1.50 metres, the pies have to fill the plate and have a peak, and only shaving foam can be used – and the flinger can be handed the pies