Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK, mainly northern) first-rate, excellent.

1899		A. Binstead Houndsditch Day by Day 93: It’s on’y her habit to glose her eyes when a-listenin’ to ghampion biano-blayin’.
1902		Ade Girl Proposition 169: Nowhere did she meet a Well-Wisher who took her aside and told her she was a Shine — in fact, the Champion Pest.
1910		Sporting Times 1 Jan. 2/5: Cadgem, the champion borrower [...] ‘I’ve bitten so many ears in my time that ——’.
1929		J.B. Priestley Good Companions 331: I’m right glad. It’s champion.
1938		J. Curtis They Drive by Night 126: Bear for t’ left and then right. You’ll find it. It’s a new white building. Champion building.
1958		A. Sillitoe Sat. Night and Sun. Morning 6: He was a champion boozer.
1963		‘Nino Culotta’ Gone Fishin’ 106: Champion bloke, Bill. Known him since we were kids.
1970		S. Naipaul Fireflies 165: This is going to be a champion Christmas tree, Doreen. A champion tree.
1986		F. Taylor Auf Wiedersehen Pet Two 119: ‘Champion,’ said Dennis.
2001		N. Barlay Hooky Gear 218: That kind of stinkin shit come from one thing innit: fear. Total fear. Champion fucking fear.