It is almost 20 kg (65 lb) weightier than the supersized squash that earned the Paton twins their world record last year – a specimen that they affectionately referred to as “Muggle”.
Ian and Stuart Paton receiving their certificates for Muggle from GWR Adjudicator Pravin Patel in 2025
In October 2025, the brothers presented a 1,278.8-kg (2,819-lb 4-oz) gargantuan gourd at a GPC weigh-off event in Wargrave, Berkshire, UK. This saw them claim the crown from serial US pumpkin pro, Travis Gienger of Minnesota, USA, who entered the record books in 2023.
It marked a major milestone for the British brothers, who had been cultivating giant pumpkins together for more than 50 years. Having claimed prizes for their phenomenal fruits nationally in the UK and even at a European level, the world title had always just eluded them – but no longer.
Despite now losing its heavyweight title, Muggle does still, in fact, retain another record – it remains the largest pumpkin by circumference at 649.8 cm (255.8 in; 21 ft 3.8 in). Owing to its more compact shape, Bagheera comes in at a slightly smaller 596.9 cm (235 in; 19 ft 6.9 in).
While Stuart was content to hang up his gardening gloves and retire from the giant-pumpkin game in 2025 with the fulfilment of their long-sought world title, Ian had unfinished business.
Ian’s granddaughter Martha stands atop Bagheera prior to it being transported to the weigh-off
It has been a particularly gruelling year, not least because Ian was for the first time “growing solo”. He told GWR: “There was a lot more work to do as I was on my own – up to six hours a day in the patch for two months – but I got through it…”
He added sheepishly: “I didn’t see a lot of my wife, but I kind of got away with it!”
What’s more, the UK experienced an unprecedented series of heatwaves over this summer. Fortunately, this was less of an issue for Ian owing to the fact that he has long been an advocate of growing pumpkins in a greenhouse.
This is one of the biggest pieces of advice he gives to newcomers to giant pumpkins. According to Ian, growing them inside gives the plants a vital head start in the year and “a long enough season to reach their full potential”. It also meant that ample shading could easily be provided by whiting out some of the windows to protect the vine’s leaves from the most intense sunlight.
During the hottest spells, which saw temperatures in the greenhouse soar to 40°C (104°F), the pumpkin plants were receiving up to 130 gallons (590 litres) – akin to three full bathtubs – of water every day!