By . Wills Robinson . For decades they led the way in childrens' entertainment and were a constant fixture at birthday parties. But the future of British clowns is now in serious doubt, and it is no laughing matter. The entertainers claim an increasingly 'cynical' public image has seen membership at Clowns International (CI) drop from almost 1,000 in the 1980s to just 100. They also argue TV characters such as The . Simpsons' Krusty the Clown, who is portrayed as a heavy smoker and . drinker, and filmmakers who turn friendly clowns into psychopaths, have contributed to the decline which could see the . profession wiped out. Conference cancelled: Clowns gather for the annual gathering in Butlins at the beginning of March in 2007. This year's event did not go ahead after the company withdrew its sponsorship . The clown in horror film It, based on the Stephen King novel, and . the Joker, played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, have created an increasingly sinister view of the entertainers, with children relating to them as villains rather than loveable comedians. The average age of clowns has also risen, . with fewer younger people wanting to take up the profession, and many . have had to go part time as work at childrens' parties has dried up. Former chairman of CI, Blue Brattle, told The Daily Telegraph: 'There is an image problem. There is a very negative view from Hollywood, with films like It and characters like Krusty. He added it was no longer 'cool' for children to have clowns at a party, as parents are opting for television or film-themed events instead. 'Now its all DJs and paintball themed-parties.It's the way of the world, children and growing up quicker. Cynical: A veteran entertainer has said clowns on TV, like The Simpson's degenerate, Krusty, have created a negative public image . 'For some reason, clowning has been jumped upon as being unfashionable and the scary clown bandwagon has been particularly jumped upon. This year's annual gathering of clowns at Butlins in Bognor regis was cancelled this year after the holiday camp withdrew its sponsorship. Attendees usually provide free entertainment to holidaymakers in exchange for free accommodation and food, but falling numbers have signaled the end of the deal. Children having a phobia of clowns may also be blamed on the decline, but the 70-year-old veteran entertainer claims he has only met one person who had a genuine fear. The problem is not confined to Britain with the World Clown Association reporting that membership has fallen from about 3,500 to 2,000 in the past decade. The Joker, from the Batman films, is believed to have made coulrophobia more prevalent . Scientists generally agree that . coulrophobia is a result of not knowing who lies behind the makeup, red . nose and hair of a clown. According . to Coulrophobia Facts, research has shown the fear of clowns has . increased since the Steven Spielberg's 1990s' film, 'It', which depicts a . murderous clown. The portrayal of the Joker in Batman films is also blamed. According . to the site, the phobia, which can cause panic, breathing difficulty . and nausea, does prevent some people from eating at McDonalds. Coulrophobia can affect both adults and children.
Membership of Clowns International (CI) has fallen from 1,000 in the 1980s .
It is the country's sole organisation for the performers .
Average age of entertainers has risen, with fewer younger clowns joining .
Decline has been blamed on people's perception they are sinister .
The Simpsons' Krusty the Clown is portrayed as a heavy smoker .
By . Wills Robinson . For decades they led the way in childrens' entertainment and were a constant fixture at birthday parties. But the future of British clowns is now in serious doubt, and it is no laughing matter. The entertainers claim an increasingly 'cynical' public image has seen membership at Clowns International (CI) drop from almost 1,000 in the 1980s to just 100. They also argue TV characters such as The . Simpsons' Krusty the Clown, who is portrayed as a heavy smoker and . drinker, and filmmakers who turn friendly clowns into psychopaths, have contributed to the decline which could see the . profession wiped out. Conference cancelled: Clowns gather for the annual gathering in Butlins at the beginning of March in 2007. This year's event did not go ahead after the company withdrew its sponsorship . The clown in horror film It, based on the Stephen King novel, and . the Joker, played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, have created an increasingly sinister view of the entertainers, with children relating to them as villains rather than loveable comedians. The average age of clowns has also risen, . with fewer younger people wanting to take up the profession, and many . have had to go part time as work at childrens' parties has dried up. Former chairman of CI, Blue Brattle, told The Daily Telegraph: 'There is an image problem. There is a very negative view from Hollywood, with films like It and characters like Krusty. He added it was no longer 'cool' for children to have clowns at a party, as parents are opting for television or film-themed events instead. 'Now its all DJs and paintball themed-parties.It's the way of the world, children and growing up quicker. Cynical: A veteran entertainer has said clowns on TV, like The Simpson's degenerate, Krusty, have created a negative public image . 'For some reason, clowning has been jumped upon as being unfashionable and the scary clown bandwagon has been particularly jumped upon. This year's annual gathering of clowns at Butlins in Bognor regis was cancelled this year after the holiday camp withdrew its sponsorship. Attendees usually provide free entertainment to holidaymakers in exchange for free accommodation and food, but falling numbers have signaled the end of the deal. Children having a phobia of clowns may also be blamed on the decline, but the 70-year-old veteran entertainer claims he has only met one person who had a genuine fear. The problem is not confined to Britain with the World Clown Association reporting that membership has fallen from about 3,500 to 2,000 in the past decade. The Joker, from the Batman films, is believed to have made coulrophobia more prevalent . Scientists generally agree that . coulrophobia is a result of not knowing who lies behind the makeup, red . nose and hair of a clown. According . to Coulrophobia Facts, research has shown the fear of clowns has . increased since the Steven Spielberg's 1990s' film, 'It', which depicts a . murderous clown. The portrayal of the Joker in Batman films is also blamed. According . to the site, the phobia, which can cause panic, breathing difficulty . and nausea, does prevent some people from eating at McDonalds. Coulrophobia can affect both adults and children.
membership at Clowns International (CI) drop from almost 1,000 in the 1980s to just 100. They also Krusty the Clown, who is portrayed as a heavy average age of clowns has also risen, . with fewer younger people wanting to take up the clowns on TV, like The Simpson's degenerate,