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Sting and Lewis Capaldi surprise at charity show

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria
News imageJohn Millard Photography A close-up of Lewis Capaldi on stage singing into a microphone and playing the guitar. He has shoulder-length, light brown hair and is wearing a dark jumper. He has a serious look on his face and is looking off to the right. He has an ear piece handing down his neck.John Millard Photography
Lewis Capaldi made a surprise appearance at Sunday for Sammy

A charity variety show has been hailed a success after the first performance in six years brought surprise appearances from Sting and Lewis Capaldid.

Normally performed every two years but last held in 2020, Sunday for Sammy returned on Sunday at Newcastle's Utilita Arena to raise funds for local emerging artists.

The show, which features a host of well-known TV, theatre and musics stars from the north-east of England, began in 2000 in honour of actor Sammy Johnson, known for his roles in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Spender, who died in 1998.

This year performers included, Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975 and son of one of the show's founders Tim Healy.

The show was last held in 2020, but an attempt to bring the show back three years later failed due to the cost of living crisis.

News imageJohn Millard Photography Matty Healy sitting on a chair playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone. He has dark hair which is sticking up on the top and has large over-the-ear headphones on. He is wearing a dark jumper and light blue jeans and his legs are crossed. He is looking ahead of him which is to the left of the camera.John Millard Photography
Matty Healy's dad, actor Tim Healy, is one of the show's founders

Ray Laidlaw, from Lindisfarne and the show's producer, said he thought the variety show would "never" come back.

"Bringing the Sunday for Sammy show back after Covid and the financial traumas it caused seemed like an impossible dream," he said.

News imageJohn Millard Photography A group of people on stage singing. They are standing in front of a red Sunday for Sammy sign which his lit up. There is a man at the front in a red and white Sunderland strip. Tim Healy is being shown on the screen to the left of the stage.John Millard Photography
Sunday's show marked the return of the variety show

Laidlaw said: "Last night the dream became a reality thanks to an incredible group of performers, a wonderful tech crew and our dedicated partners and supporters.

"A huge thank you to each and everyone of you.

"Sammy is back."

News imageJohn Millard Photography A group of people on stage which the arena audience behind them. Most have their hands up in the air. The people include Matty Healy, Denise Welch, Tim Healy, Stephen Tompkinson and Steph McGovern.John Millard Photography
Ray Laidlaw called the show's return a "dream"

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