Entertainment
Councillor reveals dream for Stadium of Light to host Eurovision
Organisers of the annual song competition are in talks with the BBC to ‘potentially host’ the 2023 event… and city councillor Dominic McDonough wants to see the show come to Sunderland. He is urging city leaders to put together a bid to the BBC in order to bring the world’s biggest music contest to the city.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the competition this year and it is traditional that the winning country hosts the event the following year.
But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has said that following a ‘full assessment and feasibility study’ it has concluded the ‘security and operational guarantees’ required to host the event cannot be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC while the Russian invasion continues.
The contest, which has a worldwide viewership of over 300million, has been hosted in a number of diverse locations over the years including Harrogate and even Millstreet, a town of only 1,500 people in 1
Eurovision superfan Coun McDonough said he believed Sunderland had the facilities required to host the contest and it would put the city on the map across Europe and beyond.
“Sunderland has the facilities to host, with the Stadium of Light being a perfect venue and the Beacon of Light being a perfect space to host the press centre and Euroclub,” he said.
“The amount of tourism and media interest that it would bring to the area would be a game changer. As a city we should be ambitious and this would be the ultimate prize.”
Coun McDonough, a Conservative member for St Chad’s ward, says he will be writing to city council leader and chief executive as well as to BBC executives to make the case for Sunderland, with a decision expected later this year.
Downing Street has welcomed the possibility of the UK hosting Eurovision if Ukraine cannot.A No 10 spokesman said: “If the EBU decides the competition can’t go ahead in Ukraine we would of course welcome the opportunity to work closely with Ukraine and the BBC to host it here in the UK.”
A popular charity concert will not be held in 2023 due to the cost of living crisis.
Sunday for Sammy, which is held in memory of North East actor Sammy Johnson, is a biennial event aimed at benefitting young performers.
The long-running event has featured the likes of Joe McElderry, Johnny Vegas, Brenda Blethyn, Denise Welch, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Mark Knopfler, Jill Halfpenny and Ant and Dec.
Tim Healy, who hosts Sunday for Sammy, said: “We’ve had lots of enquiries over the recent months asking when the next Sunday for Sammy will take place.
“We are very much aware at the moment that people are struggling with day-to-day living costs and are watching their pennies. Everything is becoming more and more expensive and that includes the cost of putting on a show the size of ours.”
He added: “We can’t in good conscious put on a show that we aren’t sure people can afford to be tickets for. It would be wrong to risk your money you have generously given us.
“So sadly we have decided that there won’t be a show in 2023. We’re going to wait until the time is right.”
Often dubbed The Geordie Command Performance, the shows, which have been running for more than 20 years, are held in memory of Geordie actor Sammy Johnson, who died in 1999.
News had not long broke that ex Health secretary Matt Hancock was to enter the jungle in I’m a celerity that he has had his Tory Whip suspended.
Matt Hancock is expected to be added as a surprise final addition to the line-up of celebrities who will travel to Australia as part of the reality TV show this year.
Asked about Matt Hancock appearance, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The PM believes that at a challenging time for the country MPs should be working hard for their constituents, whether that is in the House or in their constituency.” The spokesman said it was “unlikely” Mr Sunak would be watching the programme.
Simon Hart, the chief whip, confirmed that Mr Hancock would have the whip removed – “Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect.”
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Sam Fender has delighted fans by announcing a huge stadium show at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park. The North Shields singer will play at the home of Newcastle United on June 9, 2023 and fans can sign up for pre sale tickets now.
The 28-year-old singer will follow in the footsteps of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, for his performance and becomes the first Geordie musician to headline the iconic stadium.
It’s been a huge 2022 so far for the ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ singer, picking up BRIT, NME, and Ivor Novello Awards, and a first nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize next week, for his second album, the critically acclaimed number one album, ‘Seventeen Going Under’.
Tickets for the huge stadium show go on general sale at 10am on Friday, September 9 via Ticketmaster and See Tickets. Pre-sale goes live at 10am on Wednesday, September 7.
But how much are tickets? Pitch standing tickets are £57.50 (plus fees) and seating tickets start from £47.50 (plus fees).
Speaking of the show, Sam Fender said: “Ever since I started this band, I always used to joke with the boys that one day we might play St James’ Park in Newcastle.
“It’s a childhood dream come true, and we’re actually gonna play it on the 9th June. This is literally gonna be the biggest show we’ve ever done – our first stadium show, which is so weird to say! I can’t wait, it’s gonna be absolutely lush and I hope to see yas all there.”
Support for the show will come from Inhaler and Holly Humberstone.
Will you be trying to bag tickets? Do you think they are a reasonable price?
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