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Captain Beany (born Barry Kirk on 23 September 1954)[1] is a British eccentric and charity fundraiser in Sandfields, Port Talbot, South Wales.

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Kirk worked in the computer department of the BP chemical plant in Baglan, Neath Port Talbot. In May 1991, he changed his name by deed poll to Captain Beany. He began painting his face and bald head orange, donned a golden cape, pants, gloves and boots. To date, Captain Beany claims to have raised over £100,000 for charity through participation in various events, such as the London and New York Marathons.[2]

In 1986, Beany set a world record for the longest time sitting in a bath full of baked beans, which lasted over 100 hours.[3]

In September 2005, Beany was convicted and fined £200 for fraudulently claiming £2,700 in income support.[4]

In 2006, Beany appeared on the BBC programme, Let Me Entertain You.

In September 2008, Beany climbed Snowdon carrying baked beans in aid of cancer research.[5][6] In October 2008, during the 2008 financial crisis, he registered the trademark "Credit Crunch" for use on chocolate bars. When Selfridges sold a similarly named product, Captain Beany earned a percentage of the sales under a licensing agreement.[1][7]

In December 2009, he teamed up with other Port Talbot musicians to record a charity Christmas song.[8] He completed the Sports Relief Mile 2010 whilst pushing a tin of baked beans on his hands and knees.[9]

He also planned to walk nearly 460 miles around the borders of Wales and England for the Cieran Jones Appeal whilst conveying a plate of baked beans on toast. His planned 'BEANS ON TOAST-A-THON' was to take place in mid August 2010.[10][11]

In 2015, Beany raised £3,600 for charity by having 60 baked bean images tattooed on his head. Those sponsoring him had their initials inked inside one of the baked beans.[12]

In 2018, Beany appeared on a Christmas special of Blind Date as one of the choices. He wasn't chosen.[13]

In 2022, Captain Beany appeared on Inside the Superbrands.[14] In the same year he was mentioned in one of the final rounds of the Jackbox Party Pack 9 game Fibbage 4.

In May 2024, Beany auditioned for the seventeenth series of Britain’s Got Talent where he sang an original song about baked beans and how he loved to eat them for every single meal of the day. He received four red buzzers and did not progress to the next round.[15]

Eccentric of the year

[edit]

In April 2009, Beany was awarded the title of "Great British Eccentric of the Year" by the Eccentric Club in London.[2][5] He also officially transformed his council flat into the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence, with British writer Danny Wallace presiding over the opening ceremony.[16]

The Baked Bean Museum of Excellence in Port Talbot was featured in the 2010 book Behind The Scenes at the Museum of Baked Beans by author Hunter Davies.[17]

In 2023, Beany closed his museum, due to renovations being done by the housing provider Tai Tarian. The collection was actioned off on eBay with Beany downsizing to a one bedroom flat.[18]

Political career

[edit]

Beany has been a candidate in local and general elections throughout Wales. He stood as "Captain Beany of the Bean Party" in the 1991 Neath by-election, coming last with 262 votes (0.7%). He then stood as the "Real Bean" candidate in Aberavon in 1992, again coming last with 707 votes (1.8%). In 1997, he stood in Aberavon again, this time as an Independent, and came last again with 341 votes (1.0%).

In 2000, he formed the New Millennium Bean Party, of which he was the sole member.[19] On this line in Aberavon in the 2001 election, he came sixth out of seven candidates with 727 votes (2.4%), coming ahead of Socialist Alliance candidate Martin Chapman. In the 2005 general election, Beany gained 159 votes (0.4%) in Cardiff Central coming eighth out of nine candidates, ahead of Rainbow Dream Ticket candidate Catherine Taylor-Dawson.[2] Beany contested Aberavon again in the 2010 general election,[20] receiving 558 votes (1.8%), placing seventh out of eight candidates, ahead of UKIP candidate Joe Callan.[21]

In the 2015 general election, support for Beany more than doubled, to 1,137 votes (3.6%), who stood as an independent, placing sixth out of nine candidates ahead of the Green, Socialist Labour and TUSC candidates in Aberavon.[22] After failing to contest the 2017 general election, he contested Aberavon once again in the 2019 general election and support for Beany fell to 731 votes (2.3%), placing him sixth out of seven candidates, ahead of the Green candidate.[23]

In 2021, Beany contested the Senedd election in Cardiff West, and gained 95 votes (0%), placing ninth out of nine candidates, losing to the then first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.[24] In the 2024 general election, Beany stood as an independent in the newly created constituency of Aberafan Maesteg, gaining 618 votes (1.7%) coming seventh out of eight candidates, ahead of Rhiannon Morrissey of the Heritage Party.[25] He announced he would not stand for any further elections.[26]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Captain Beany

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Captain Beany (born Barry Kirk) is a Welsh eccentric and charity fundraiser based in , , renowned for his baked bean-obsessed superhero persona featuring fluorescent orange clothing, bean tattoos across his head, and a commitment to bean-related stunts since the . In 1986, achieved publicity by immersing himself in a bath of for 100 hours at the Hotel, establishing the foundation for his , which he legally adopted via in May 1991. Over decades, he has raised between £150,000 and £200,000 for charitable causes through challenges, marathons in major cities, and public performances, earning recognition as the British Greatest Eccentric in 2009. He operated the Baked Bean of Excellence from 2009 to 2022 in his home, housing over 450 bean-themed artifacts, before closing it to pursue other endeavors. Beany has pursued political novelty candidacies, founding the New Millennium Bean Party in 2010 and contesting elections including the 2021 race, where he garnered 95 votes, and declaring 2024 as his final general election bid without a formal , instead advocating direct constituent solutions. His perpetual dedication to the role, including a superhero-themed and avoidance of conventional , underscores a life of unyielding eccentricity devoid of major controversies.

Early Life and Persona Development

Childhood and Background

Barry Kirk, later known as Captain Beany, was born around 1955 in , . He grew up in the industrial town, developing an early fascination with superheroes during the . Prior to public recognition, Kirk held a conventional position in the computer department of the chemical plant in Baglan, near , where he contributed to operations in the petrochemical sector during the early part of his adulthood.

Origins of the Bean Obsession

Barry Kirk's fixation on baked beans originated in September 1986 with a charity-driven stunt in which he immersed himself in a bathtub filled with the product, an event that served as the empirical trigger converting a personal dietary habit into an all-consuming public identity. This bath immersion, undertaken without prior obsessive patterns documented in his background, crystallized the theme as a vehicle for attention and benevolence, distinct from routine consumption. The transformation escalated through deliberate symbolic adoptions, including fluorescent orange attire mimicking the Heinz branding of , which Kirk integrated into his daily presentation to amplify visibility. By 2014, this evolved into permanent modifications, as he commissioned 60 tattooed images of across his shaved head and eyebrows to mark his 60th birthday while soliciting donations for research, thereby merging physical commitment with promotional intent. These early steps were motivated primarily by self-promotion and charitable collection, as the 1986 initiative explicitly aimed to generate funds rather than advance political or ideological causes, reflecting a pragmatic response to the stunt's media resonance.

Creation of the Identity

Barry Kirk, inspired by a lifelong fascination with superheroes dating back to the early , adopted the persona following his 1986 immersion in , which prompted him to channel his obsession into a performative as a means of with personal bereavement and expressing his passions in a structured, character-driven manner. He formalized this identity by legally changing his name to Captain Beany via in May 1991, marking the transition from personal quirk to a dedicated branded character without assertions of abilities, instead emphasizing a gimmick-based realism rooted in enthusiasm. The persona incorporated distinctive visual and thematic elements, including an orange-painted face and bald head, a golden , , boots, gloves, pants, "bean" spectacles, and an earlobed "beansmitter" device, evoking classic aesthetics while centering on bean-related puns and lore. crafted a positioning Captain Beany as originating from Planet Beanus, a fictional realm from which the character "beans" down to on a mission to promote "hap-BEAN-ness" and aid "human beans" for the "beanifit" of mankind, thereby establishing a cohesive, self-contained for . This branding avoided fantastical powers, framing the identity as an eccentric, real-world extension of comic influences like and Batman. Initial public appearances in focused on leveraging the character's visual flair and pun-laden antics to garner local recognition, with appearing in the full regalia to perform bean-themed stunts and interact with the community, building a foundation of visibility through consistent, low-stakes demonstrations of the persona's commitment to whimsy over heroism. These efforts, centered in his hometown of Sandfields, , , emphasized performative consistency to differentiate the identity from mere novelty, fostering familiarity without reliance on media amplification at the outset.

Key Achievements and Stunts

1986 World Record and Initial Fame

In September 1986, Barry Kirk set a for the longest duration sitting in a bath of cold , achieving 100 hours at the Aberavon Beach Hotel in , . The continuous immersion spanned from September 11 to 14, during which Kirk did not exit the tub, enduring the physical strain of the cold, congealing beans and limited mobility in the confined space. The stunt required logistical support, including periodic bean replenishments to maintain the bath's volume and amid the hotel's public setting in the Bar. Guinness officials verified the attempt, confirming it surpassed prior benchmarks for such eccentric endurance feats and securing its entry in the record book. Local media coverage in Welsh outlets highlighted the event's novelty, drawing crowds and positioning Kirk as an emerging local celebrity in Port Talbot's industrial community. This initial publicity transformed the record into a foundational moment for his persona, fostering grassroots admiration as a symbol of quirky perseverance amid economic hardship in the steel town.

Subsequent Record Attempts and Feats

In 2010, Captain Beany pushed a tin of baked beans one mile along beach using only his nose, completing the feat on March 21 in 4 hours and 30 minutes as a fundraising stunt for . This self-documented challenge, while earning media attention, lacked official verification from , distinguishing it from his 1986 achievement. During the Flora on April 13, 2008, he finished the 26.2-mile course in 5 hours, 46 minutes, and 25 seconds while alternately holding a plate of on toast in each hand, preventing any spillage over the full distance; the effort was sponsored by Warburtons and Branston but not ratified as a record. On October 6, 2013, Captain Beany completed the Half-Marathon—a 13.1-mile route—in 4 hours, 1 minute, and 57 seconds while pushing a , claiming a "Vacuum-a-thon" record via the user-generated platform RecordSetter rather than . In June 2023, during the Soapbox Derby, he set two unverified world records: the fastest downhill bath filler using 30 liters of Branston and the fastest backward traversal of a plate of beans in a bath, both publicized on his personal site without independent adjudication. These efforts highlight a pattern of iterative, bean-themed physical challenges post-1986, primarily aimed at charity and publicity, though none have secured formal recognition amid stricter criteria for novelty records.

Establishment of the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence

The Baked Bean Museum of Excellence was established in 2009 by Barry Kirk, known as Captain Beany, in his third-floor council flat in , , marking it as the world's only museum dedicated exclusively to . The institution occupied multiple rooms of the two-bedroom residence, with interiors painted tangerine to evoke the color of baked bean sauce, serving as a static repository for Kirk's bean-related artifacts rather than performative stunts. Officially opened in January 2009 by broadcaster Danny Wallace, the museum functioned as a space accessible by prior arrangement, emphasizing preservation over commercial . Exhibits centered on an extensive array of baked bean tins from various brands, alongside memorabilia such as posters, boxes, bags, fridge magnets, keyrings, and themed homeware items. The collection extended to bean-inspired artifacts, underscoring the museum's role in cataloging cultural tied to the foodstuff, with displays integrated into living spaces like the living room and bathroom for an immersive, domestic-scale experience. During its operational peak in the , the drew over 1,300 visitors, establishing it as a niche attraction in despite its unconventional premise and limited physical footprint. It remained open to the public for guided tours until its closure in June 2023, after which portions of the collection were donated to another institution in for archival preservation. The site's finite scope highlighted the challenges of sustaining a specialized, enthusiast-driven within a residential setting, yet it endured as a testament to Kirk's singular dedication to the theme.

Charitable Contributions

Fundraising Methods and Events

Captain Beany's fundraising primarily relies on high-visibility stunts and events, leveraging his eccentric persona to generate media coverage and spontaneous donations rather than formal grant applications. These tactics emphasize physical challenges themed around , such as long-distance walks where he dons pyjamas emblazoned with bean motifs and incorporates bean consumption or carrying to sustain his branding. A core method involves solo treks across Britain, exemplified by multiple iterations of the John o'Groats to route, covering over 870 miles to symbolize national perseverance while appealing to sponsors and passersby. In July 2025, he initiated one such walk explicitly for the , traversing the distance in 44 days and culminating at on August 25, with stops in locales like to amplify local awareness. He supplements these with appearances at community-driven events for organizations like the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), including virtual or partial walks in regions such as , where he officiates starts or integrates into group efforts to heighten participation. Local hospital supports have featured in analogous spectacles, though specifics tie back to broader endurance formats without dedicated institutional backing. Such events prioritize spectacle—e.g., soapbox derbies or themed relays—to foster on-site collections and online pledges via platforms like .

Total Raised and Beneficiaries

Captain Beany has raised an estimated £150,000 to £200,000 for charitable causes since commencing his activities in the . This aggregate figure, self-reported but corroborated through coverage of individual efforts, reflects sustained personal commitment rather than institutional backing, with funds directed toward localized and health-focused beneficiaries in the region and beyond. Primary recipients include children's support organizations such as , which aids families facing life-threatening conditions in children, and Children's Hospital Charity, providing specialized care enhancements. Hospice and palliative services have benefited via donations to , alongside cardiovascular initiatives through the . Earlier targeted campaigns supported programs, such as £3,600 raised in 2015 for mobility aids for a with disabilities. These contributions, while modest compared to professional fundraising entities, underscore verifiable, incremental impact on community-level welfare without reliance on large-scale sponsorships.

Long-Term Charity Walks and Recent Efforts

Captain Beany has engaged in extended endurance walks as a core component of his sustained charity fundraising, emphasizing physical challenges to support health-related causes. In 2025, nearing his 71st birthday, he undertook a solo hike from John o' Groats to Land's End, traversing over 800 miles in 44 days to benefit the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The journey, which included a stop in Edinburgh on July 26, highlighted his commitment to such multi-week efforts despite the physical demands on an individual of advanced age. Completion occurred on August 25 at Land's End, marking another instance of his persistence in long-distance philanthropy. These walks represent an evolution in Beany's approach to charity, adapting to his age by focusing on achievable yet grueling solo treks rather than more extreme stunts of his earlier years. The 2025 endeavor, documented as an "epic journey of one emotional charity challenge," underscores the toll of prolonged exertion—averaging nearly 20 miles daily—but also his resilience, with no reported interruptions from . Such activities align with post-2020 efforts prioritizing heart health awareness, tying into BHF's mission amid rising cardiovascular concerns. In , where Beany resides, these ongoing initiatives foster local community morale amid the steel industry's contraction, including the 2024 transitions at affecting over 2,000 workers. His visible endurance feats, broadcast via and local media, provide a to economic hardship, reinforcing his role as a hometown symbol of perseverance without direct allocation of walk proceeds to steel-related aid. This persistence, even as he approaches 71, exemplifies a dedication to physical that prioritizes verifiable distance and donor engagement over novelty.

Political Career

Formation of the Bean Party

The Bean Party originated in 1991 when Barry Kirk, adopting the persona of Captain Beany, stood as its candidate in the held on April 4. Kirk, who had legally changed his name to Captain Beany by around that time, presented the party as a bean-themed gimmick tied to his eccentric public image as a baked bean enthusiast and fundraiser, rather than a structured political organization. This debut candidacy garnered 262 votes, or 0.7% of the total, underscoring its marginal appeal as a or novelty entry amid competition from established parties. Lacking a formal or ideological platform, the Bean Party operated on an basis, with Kirk pledging to respond to individual voter requests rather than advancing predefined policies. This approach emphasized personal responsiveness over substantive governance proposals, aligning with the party's frivolous, publicity-driven nature and distinguishing it from conventional political entities. Kirk explicitly rejected traditional manifestos as "half-baked," positioning the party as a flexible, bean-centric for his campaigns rather than a serious alternative to major parties. Initially unregistered with electoral authorities, the entity functioned informally for early outings like the 1991 by-election, where candidates could nominate under descriptive labels without party registration. It was later formalized and registered as the New Millennium Bean Party circa 2000, maintaining its novelty status as Britain's smallest registered party under Kirk's sole leadership until de-registration in 2011. This evolution highlighted the party's role as a for electoral participation, prioritizing spectacle and charity-linked stunts over policy depth or broad electability.

Major Election Campaigns

Captain Beany first contested public office in the 1991 held on 4 April 1991, standing as an independent candidate in the orange bean-themed costume that became his signature. Campaigning with baked bean puns and stunts rather than detailed policy platforms, he garnered limited votes in a contest ultimately won by Labour's . Subsequent runs included the 2001 UK general election in , where he appeared on the ballot as "Captain Beany Bean" for the Bean Party, emphasizing novelty over conventional political agendas. He continued participating in Welsh local elections, such as council contests, maintaining the bean motif in appearances and avoiding structured manifestos in favor of interactive voter engagement. In the 2015 general election for Aberavon, Beany ran as an independent, again prioritizing eccentric publicity tactics like his superhero persona over policy proposals, but placed outside the top positions behind Labour's Stephen Kinnock. The 2019 general election saw a similar effort in Aberavon, where he competed as an independent, receiving a small share of votes amid the constituency's strong Labour hold. Beany extended campaigns to the under the New Millennium Bean Party banner, targeting Welsh seats with pun-laden appeals and no formal , instead soliciting direct voter input on desires. His final announced run occurred in the 2024 general election for the newly formed Aberafan Maesteg constituency, where he stood as an independent on 4 July 2024, declaring it his last electoral effort and rejecting "half-baked s" in favor of ad-hoc responsiveness to constituents.

Results, Failures, and Critiques of Novelty Politics

Captain Beany, whose legal name is Barry Kirk, has contested numerous elections under the Bean Party or as an independent since the early , yet secured zero seats across more than three decades of campaigns. In the 2024 general election for , he received 618 votes (1.7% of the total), finishing sixth out of seven candidates and forfeiting his £500 deposit. Similarly, in in 2019, he garnered 731 votes (2.3%); in 2010, 558 votes; and in 2001, 727 votes (2.4%), consistently placing near the bottom without retaining deposits in most instances. These outcomes reflect a pattern of negligible voter support, typically in the low hundreds, insufficient to influence results or achieve the 5% threshold for deposit refunds under electoral rules. Kirk maintains that his candidacies serve as an platform to champion free speech, celebrate democratic participation, and spotlight local issues like food insecurity, drawing inspiration from predecessors such as . He positions novelty politics as a means to inject levity and critique into otherwise rigid processes, claiming it fulfills a democratic function by amplifying overlooked voices through media exposure. However, underscores their ineffectiveness: with vote shares under 3% across runs, his efforts have yielded no legislative influence, policy shifts, or sustained voter mobilization, rendering them symbolically expressive but practically futile. Critiques of such novelty approaches highlight their role in eroding electoral gravity, as frivolous platforms risk portraying as spectacle over substantive , potentially alienating voters from engaging seriously with alternatives. Repeated deposit losses—£500 per candidacy, unchanged since —represent a tangible resource drain, with Kirk forfeiting thousands cumulatively across bids without offsetting electoral gains. While garnering occasional coverage, these candidacies divert finite media bandwidth from candidate debates on or public services toward eccentricity, though in low-stakes local contexts like , actual vote-splitting effects remain marginal given turnout dynamics and minimal tallies. Analysts note that, absent power attainment, such runs prioritize over collective problem-solving, contrasting Kirk's self-perceived advocacy with verifiable non-impact on outcomes.

Recognition and Public Perception

Awards as an Eccentric

In April 2009, Captain Beany, whose legal name is Barry Kirkham, received the "Great British Eccentric of the Year" award from the Eccentric Club in , an organization dedicated to celebrating unconventional personalities. This honor specifically acknowledged his self-styled persona, orange-painted appearance, and operation of the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence in his flat, framing his pursuits as quirky deviations from societal norms rather than substantive achievements. The award, presented at a gentlemen's club event, underscored Beany's appeal within niche circles valuing eccentricity over conventional merit, with no evidence of comparable recognition from mainstream institutions or broader cultural bodies. Local Welsh media highlighted the win as affirming his status as a regional oddity, confined primarily to and surrounding areas, without extending to national or international accolades of prestige. Subsequent self-reported listings on Beany's personal website reference the 2009 award alongside minor feats like endurance stunts, but lack verification of additional formal titles from independent sources, reinforcing the singular nature of this eccentric-focused honor.

Media Coverage and Cultural References

Captain Beany has been featured in articles highlighting his eccentric lifestyle and local fame in , such as a , 2024, profile describing him as a "baked superhero" who has enjoyed celebrity status in his hometown for nearly four decades through attention-grabbing outfits and stunts. Earlier coverage included a January 9, 2015, report on his 60th birthday celebration involving 60 baked tattoos on his head. Additional segments in August 2014 detailed his tattoo fundraising efforts for a child with . Television appearances have further documented his persona, including spots on ITV's This Morning in February 2023, where he discussed his baked bean memorabilia collection, and Channel 5's Blind Date reboot in 2017, during which he sought romantic matches while dressed in his signature orange superhero attire. In May 2024, he auditioned on Britain's Got Talent with a performance of "I Just Love Baked Beans," prompting host Ant McPartlin to react with "get him off." Other broadcasts encompass Judge Rinder and The Alan Titchmarsh Show, emphasizing his novelty acts over substantive influence. Culturally, Captain Beany is referenced as a quirky Welsh in niche outlets like Atlas Obscura, which in April 2018 profiled his Baked Bean Museum of Excellence as a unique council flat-turned-exhibit dedicated to the foodstuff. Online communities have amplified his status locally, with a May 4, 2018, Reddit "Today I Learned" post garnering discussion on his 1986 for the longest baked bean bath, lasting over 100 hours, though such mentions underscore trivialization rather than broader resonance. Coverage has evolved from novelty feats to 2020s nostalgic portrayals of regional eccentricity, confined primarily to British and Welsh audiences without international prominence.

Criticisms and Skeptical Views

Captain Beany's political campaigns have drawn for their negligible electoral impact and perceived role in diluting serious discourse. In the 2024 general for , he received 618 votes, representing 1.7% of the total, while earlier runs yielded similarly low figures, such as 731 votes (2.3%) in in 2019 and 95 votes in West's 2021 contest. Observers of novelty candidacies argue that such entries, by prioritizing spectacle over policy, risk devaluing and blurring boundaries between and legitimate politics, potentially encouraging voter cynicism toward the process. Skeptics question the long-term viability of Beany's bean-themed gimmick as a charity model, noting its reliance on personal stunts rather than scalable structures. While individual feats like endurance walks and record attempts have raised funds, the absence of institutional growth or broader replication—coupled with his lack of full-time employment since —raises opportunity costs in terms of time and resources diverted from potentially more efficient philanthropic approaches. The Baked Bean Museum of Excellence, housed in Beany's third-floor council flat since 2009, exemplified practical limitations of his eccentric pursuits, culminating in its 2023 closure amid downsizing and relocation. Operating from a two-bedroom personal residence constrained accessibility and sustainability, with the collection's dispersal highlighting the venture's non-viability beyond individual commitment. Endurance efforts have imposed personal physical strain, as evidenced by Beany's own account of leg-shaking exhaustion after his world-record 100-hour bean bath, underscoring potential tolls from prolonged immersion and other feats without evident medical oversight or long-term mitigation.

Later Years and Legacy

Personal Life and Relationships

Barry Kirk, known as Captain Beany, has remained single throughout his life and has never married. In June 2023, he closed his Baked Bean Museum of Excellence after nearly 14 years of operation, citing a desire to prioritize finding romantic love over his bean-themed pursuits, including a symbolic "breakup" with the Heinz brand. He has pursued companionship through public appearances, such as competing on the 2017 reboot of Blind Date on Channel 5, where he sought a partner with a strong sense of humor, but reported no lasting relationships from such efforts. As of August 2025, Kirk described himself as an "edible bachelor" still hopeful for love, though he has not actively used dating apps. Kirk resides in a council flat in , , relocated there by his after operating his from a previous home. No public records or statements indicate that he has children or involved in his ; he has reflected on an alternate path where he might have married and raised a family, but his eccentric commitments precluded this. At age 70 as of 2024, Kirk maintains an active lifestyle tied to his past stunts, such as enduring 100 hours in a bath of in 1986, though he has not detailed specific long-term health impacts from these activities.

Closure of the Museum and Political Retirement

In June 2023, Captain Beany permanently closed the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence in , , after nearly 15 years of operation as a dedicated to memorabilia. The shutdown followed his decision to relocate from and prioritize personal life changes, including seeking romantic companionship beyond his longstanding affinity for products, which he metaphorically described as a "break-up." At age 68, Beany cited pragmatic concerns about long-term sustainability, questioning whether he wished to manage the museum into his 80s amid evolving personal circumstances. Portions of the collection were subsequently donated to other institutions, such as the HAT museum in . Beany's political activities culminated in the July 2024 UK , where he campaigned as the New Millennium Bean Party candidate for but received minimal votes, consistent with prior outings. On July 4, 2024, immediately after the election, he announced his retirement from general election candidacies, marking the end of over three decades of novelty political runs under the Bean Party banner. This decision reflected a recognition of advancing age—nearing 70—and the persistent electoral futility, as the party had never secured significant support or seats despite multiple campaigns. With no designated successor for the Bean Party or the Captain Beany persona, the entity's political phase effectively concluded without institutional continuity. Beany has since redirected efforts toward non-partisan charity work, including long-distance walks such as the 2025 John O'Groats to trek for the , emphasizing physical challenges aligned with his Guinness World Record for distance covered on foot while promoting causes over electoral pursuits. This pivot underscores a pragmatic wind-down, prioritizing , , and personal fulfillment amid physical limitations imposed by age.

Overall Impact and Enduring Influence

Captain Beany's fundraising efforts have generated over £100,000 for charities, with donations supporting local causes in such as the and Kidney Wales Foundation through events like walks, stunts, and museum admissions. These contributions, often tied to his baked bean-themed performances, represent verifiable positives in a post-industrial community facing economic hardship from steel industry contraction. His political forays, however, produced no electoral victories, policy shifts, or lasting organizational legacy, as evidenced by consistently low vote counts—such as 116 in the 2024 Aberafan Maesteg contest—and the New Millennium Bean Party's failure to sustain beyond novelty bids. While inspiring sporadic imitators in humorous candidacy traditions, Captain Beany's influence remains confined to transient media mentions and local folklore, without broader causal effects on or . In net assessment, his offered a harmless diversion and modest charitable uplift amid Port Talbot's resilience challenges, but ultimately highlights novelty ' inefficacy for substantive impact, prioritizing spectacle over structural engagement.

References

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  33. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGEWMMDiFs2/?hl=en
  34. https://www.justgiving.com/page/captain-beany-dryathlon
  35. https://www.justgiving.com/page/captain-beany-birthday-skydive
  36. https://noahsarkcharity.enthuse.com/pf/captain-beany
  37. https://www.justgiving.com/page/beans-means-miles
  38. https://www.instagram.com/official_captain_beany/p/DJxFjzZi6mh/
  39. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-3192134/Is-Britain-s-bizarre-tattoo-collection-Man-60-baked-beans-inked-head-raise-3-600-charity-goes-Captain-Beany.html
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  48. https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/Registrations/PP13
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  53. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-uk-general-election-results/constituencies/aberavon/
  54. https://capx.co/why-a-human-baked-bean-is-the-best-option-in-the-welsh-elections
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  62. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/bazs_culture_clash/s01/e06
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  75. https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/12/wales-baked-beans-lover-captain-beany-closes-museum-to-find-true-love-18934791/
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