It's not easy this election lark - staying up all night on a diet of just cold pizza and coffee, watching as yet another seat is announced.

Eastern Daily Press: Labour candidate Clive Lewis celebrates winning South Norwich, with Conservative candidate Lana Hempsall. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLabour candidate Clive Lewis celebrates winning South Norwich, with Conservative candidate Lana Hempsall. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

So luckily there are usually a few oddities and extravagant outbursts to keep journalists amused and capture our otherwise short attention spans.

In our region of Norfolk, Suffolk and East Cambridgeshire not much changed - the seats stayed the same colours, with familiar faces.

But that's not to say there was no celebration at all.

In fact, Labour's Clive Lewis in Norwich South started off early with unbridled joy at the exit polls, which suggested a hung parliament.

Eastern Daily Press: Conservative Keith Simpson held his Broadland seat. Photo: Luke PowellConservative Keith Simpson held his Broadland seat. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

But his showstopper came as he retained his seat - and doubled his majority - as he launched into thumping his chest and enthusiastically gesticulating with victory signs. Some would rejoice at Mr Lewis' enthusiasm, others might wonder whether the presence of the national media had anything to do with his reaction.

Elsewhere, Broadland's Keith Simpson was hoping bigger really did mean better, as he donned a blue rosette as big as his head, without exaggeration. However, Mr Simpson - who also kept his seat - had not taken a leaf out of his party leader's book however and played down his own name, giving most space to the frills. This stands in contrast to his campaign - which my spies tell me was markedly a no frills affair.

Sir Henry Bellingham again won his North West Norfolk seat and is backing Theresa May.

But the Bellinghams haven't always been so kind to prime ministers.

Eastern Daily Press: Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, with his son Ned. Picture : ANTONY KELLYNorman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, with his son Ned. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

In May 1812 one of Sir Henry's ancestors stormed in to the Palace of Westminster and assassinated the then PM, Spencer Perceval.

Perceval became the one and only British prime minister ever to be assassinated.

John Bellingham was hanged for it.

Meanwhile, in North Norfolk, Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb was re-elected and our photographers caught the emotional moments Mr Lamb shared with his family in the aftermath.

Eastern Daily Press: North North News editor Ally McGilvray. Picture: MARK BULLIMORENorth North News editor Ally McGilvray. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

However, those who regularly pick up a copy of our sister title the North Norfolk News - and who doesn't?! - may have noticed a striking similarity between editor Ally McGilvray and Mr Lamb's son Ned. I can exclusively confirm they are not the one and the same, and Mr McGilvray could instead be found tucking into a microwave pizza while covering the count.

The region did not have any joke candidates this year - or at least not official ones - to the great disappointment of this columnist. When we inevitably all turn out again for Election 2017 Part Two, can I humbly request East Anglia's very own Lord Buckethead equivalent, to at least give us all a giggle?