''Sunday for Sammy'' is a series of biennial charity concerts held in aid of the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund, which benefits young performers. The fund was established in memorial to

Sammy Johnson Ronald Samuel Johnson (14 May 1949 – November 1998) was an English actor. Biography Johnson was born in Gateshead. the son of Samuel Johnson and Thomasina (Tina) Scott. He was brother to Kenneth (who died in September 1964), Raymond (Jimmy ...

, an actor from North East England, who died suddenly in 1998. The concerts have been held at

Newcastle City Hall The Newcastle City Hall (currently known as O2 City Hall Newcastle for sponsorship reasons) is a concert hall located in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It has hosted many popular music and classical artists throughout the years, as well as sta ...

, with the exception of 2006, when the show was hosted at

Sage Gateshead The Glasshouse is an international centre for musical education and concerts on the Gateshead bank of Quayside in northern England. Opened in 2004 as Sage Gateshead and occupied by North Music Trust, the venue's original name honours a patron ...

. Due to the popularity of tickets, the 2018 and 2020 events were held at

Metro Radio Arena The Newcastle Arena (currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Utilita Arena) is an indoor arena in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Owned and operated by ASM Global, the naming rights are currently held by Utilita Energy. Ha ...

. Following

Covid-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

, the next event was expected to be held in 2023; however, "due to the cost-of-living crisis" and the high production costs, the charity's trustees decided that the event would not be a good use of the charity's funds. The show is performed twice on one day, with each being recorded for a DVD release, from which 75% of profits go to the fund. As of 2024, there have been eleven events, with nine filmed for DVD release. The concerts are hosted by Tim Healy and (until 2008)

Jimmy Nail James Michael Aloysius Bradford (born 16 March 1954), known as Jimmy Nail, is an English singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, and television writer. He played the role of Leonard "Oz" Osborne in the television show ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' ( ...

, who were close friends of Sammy Johnson, and features a range of personalities hailing from

North East England North East England, commonly referred to simply as the North East within England, is one of nine official regions of England. It consists of County DurhamNorthumberland, , Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and part of northern North Yorkshire. ...

, including

Denise Welch Jacqueline Denise Welch (born 22 May 1958) is an English actress, television personality, writer and broadcaster. Her roles include Natalie Barnes in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (1997–2000), Steph Haydock in '' Waterloo Road' ...

, Billy Mitchell and Brendan Healy. It has featured guest appearances from people such as

Ant and Dec Ant & Dec are a British television presenting duo consisting of Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly from Newcastle upon Tyne. After meeting as child actors on CBBC's drama ''Byker Grove'', they performed together as pop musicians PJ & Duncan, ...

and

Mark Knopfler Mark Freuder Knopfler OBE (born 12 August 1949) is a British musician. He was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits from 1977 to 1995, and he is the one of the two members who stayed during the band's existence ...

. Writers

Dick Clement Dick Clement (born 5 September 1937) is a retired English writer, director and producer. He became known for his writing partnership with Ian La Frenais for television series including ''The Likely Lads'', ''Whatever Happened to the Likely La ...

and

Ian La Frenais Ian La Frenais (born 7 January 1937) is a retired English writer best known for his creative partnership with Dick Clement. They are most famous for television series including '' The Likely Lads'', ''Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?'', ' ...

contribute sketches based on their television series ''

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' () is a British comedy-drama television programme about seven British construction workers who leave the United Kingdom to search for employment overseas. In the first series, the men live and work on a building site ...

'', which have featured guest appearances from the surviving original 'magnificent seven'. The concerts usually conclude with all of the performers returning to the stage to sing, most commonly

Lindisfarne Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England, which constitutes the civil parishes in England, civil parish of Holy Island in Northumberland. Holy Island has a recorded history from the 6th centu ...

's "Run for Home". Tribute shows for Sunday for Sammy are also popular. Most recently a competition for sketches was organised by North East based playwright Ed Waugh.

Shows

References

External links

* *{{imdb title, 0414552, Sunday for Sammy 2004 Benefit concerts in the United Kingdom Culture in Newcastle upon Tyne Recurring events established in 2000 2000 establishments in England