TODO

Folk on the Tyne - Ray Laidlaw on the 40th anniversary of cult North East band Lindis

It's 40 years since Tyneside folk-rock legends Lindisfarne changed the face of music with their debut album Nicely Out of Tune. The original band - dubbed the Seventies' Beatles - line-up was: Alan Hull singer and guitarist, Ray 'Jacka' Jackson on harmonica and mandolin, Rod Clements on bass, Si Cowe on guitar and Ray Laidlaw on drums. They hit the big time with their No. 1 album Fog on the Tyne and Geordie yearning anthem Run for Home. Founder member Ray Laidlaw takes a trip down memory lane wi

Animals star Alan Price reveals the proudest day of his life - when Sunderland won th

North East singing legend Alan Price – who has had a string of massive hits in a 40-year career – reveals the best day of his life was when Sunderland won the FA Cup in 1973. Lifelong Black Cats fan Alan, who shot to fame in the Sixties with The Animals, says: ‘I’ll never forget that day. I was there.’ The Fatfield-born keyboards ace, who arranged the famous Animals hit House of the Rising Sun, even battled his fear of flying to jet in specially from California to witness the epic giant-killing

Middlesbrough superstar Chris Rea speaks exclusively about recovering from illness an

The Road to Hell and backMichael Hamilton talks to the smoky-voiced singer, songwriter and guitarist Chris Rea - he plays Newcastle City Hall on March 17 & 18, 2010 - about his surprise comeback after illness (*This interview was recorded during his last UK tour in 2008)   Middlesbrough superstar Chris Rea, who stared death in the face at the turn of the millennium, is defiant when he declares:  ‘I’ll keep going as long as I can. It gives me something to live and breathe for. I jus

Sunday for Sammy

Stars shine for Sammy February 7, 2010 * Listen to Tim Healy talking about his best pal Sammy, how he set up the memorial fund 10 years ago, and who makes HIM laugh on the audio link Review by Michael Hamilton A galaxy of North East stars put on a pair of glittering Sunday for Sammy concerts at Newcastle City Hall to raise money to help nurture local talent. Guitar genius Mark Knopfler was the surprise superstar guest and brought both sell-out three-hour shows – a m

Hairy Biker Si King - back on BBC2 with a great new series Mums Know Best - pays trib

Si's sadness for mum Stella Exclusive interview by Michael Hamilton Picture: Si and Dave pictured with one of the mums from their new cookery show Mums Know Best. Picture courtesy of BBC Si King has revealed why the new Hairy Biker TV series Mums Know Best is specially poignant for him – because his own mum Stella died while he was filming last year. And the 43-year-old Geordie father-of-three paid tribute to her as his cooking inspiration.

Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell calls the tune. She talks about her music, family

Celebrated Northumbrian composer Kathryn Tickell - who performs at The Sage Gateshead in September and October - talks about her music, her family and Sting. Read the interview and listen to her online talking about My Favourite Place - the song inspired by her mum. By Michael Hamilton Picture copyright Graham Oliver Kathryn steps off stage at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York after playing a sell-out show with Geordie heroes Sting and Jimmy Nail. 

Geordie Hairy Biker Si King reveals the stories behind the hit BBC food show

King of the roadTelly stars Si King and Dave Myers have become firm UK favourites with their hilarious Hairy Bikers show. In an exclusive interview, Geordie Si reveals the stories behind the hit BBC TV series By Michael Hamilton Pictures courtesy of the Hairy Bikers Geordie Si King and Lancashire lad Dave Myers have been pals for more than 20 years. They original

Our Friends in the North writer Peter Flannery talks about BBC TV's George Gently

Our friend in the North Hit BBC detective series Inspector George Gently is set in Northumberland in the Sixties - and was actually born in the North East Exclusive interview by Michael Hamilton * Following this interview the good news is that the next series of George Gently is to be filmed in the North East Award-winning Geordie screenwriter Peter Flannery – who wrote the epic BBC drama Our Friends in the North in 1996 – was browsing in books

Geordie Hairy Biker Si King reveals the stories behind the hit BBC telly show

King of the roadTelly stars Si King and Dave Myers have become firm UK favourites with their hilarious Hairy Bikers show. In an exclusive interview, Geordie Si reveals the stories behind the hit BBC TV series. Their 12 Days of Christmas show is on BBC 2 on December 16. By Michael Hamilton Pictures courtesy of the Hairy Bikers Geordie Si King and Lancashire lad Dave Myers have been pals for more than 20 years. They originally met while working on TV and film sets – b

Newcastle writer Lee Hall, who penned Billy Elliot, on the phenomenal success of his

Portrait of a playwright Tyneside writer Lee Hall shot to fame with the 1999 hit movie Billy Elliot and adapted it for the stage in 2005, winning an award for best new musical. Now his latest award-winning play The Pitmen Painters is back touring in the North East.  Exclusive interview by Michael Hamilton MH: Tell me how The Pitmen Painters came about. Lee: It came about by accident in a way. I saw a copy of William Feaver’s book in a bookshop and thought that’s a

Hartlepool's Jeff Stelling, star of Sky's Soccer Saturday and Channel 4's Countdown t

There's only one Jeff StellingQuickfire Jeff - who hails from Hartlepool - has become a cult figure with Sky Saturday Soccer show and as the new presenter of Channel 4's Countdown. He talks about his rise to telly stardom and growing up Exclusive interview by Michael Hamilton MH: What are your memories of growing up in Hartlepool? Jeff: My childhood memories are fantastic ones, mainly. It was a tough town. I grew up on the Rift House Estate, which was one

Tyneside actor Tim Healy celebrates 25 years in showbusiness

Famous Geordie TV couple Tim Healy and Denise Welch were honoured with a top charity award by the northern region of the Variety Club. Tim looks back at his 25-year TV career, talks about the honour, getting his big showbiz break and what he misses most about his beloved North East By Michael Hamilton Auf Wiedersehen Pet actor Tim and Coronation Street actress Denise collected a prestigious joint Silver Heart award at a star-studded celebrity bash at Newcastle’s Civic Centre.

Local heroes - Denise Welch talks about her TV fame and charity work

TV's Mr and Mrs land top charity honour Geordie screen and stage superstars Tim Healy and Denise Welch were honoured in February with a unique charity award by the northern region of the Variety Club. Denise talks telly and charity in an exclusive interview with Michael Hamilton Pictures copyright George Bosnyak There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Auf Wiedersehen Pet stalwart Tim and Coronation Street‘s Denise picked up a prestigious joint Silver Heart award at a s

Geordie dancing queen dreams of the silver screen - an interview with Jill Halfpenny

Dancing queen dreams of the silver screenGeordie actress Jill Halfpenny, who starred in the BBC detective series Inspector George Gently, set in Northumberland - she is also in Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, London from December 5 - talks about her acting ambitions Interview by Michael Hamilton Family picture courtesy Jill Halfpenny and Ray Laidlaw - Jill with husband Craig and son Harvey TV beauty Jill who made her name in Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing now has h

30 Years of Quadrophenia - Director Franc Roddam, from Teesside, speaks

Hollywood director Franc Roddam - from Norton, Stockton-on-Tees - made his name with the iconic 1979 movie Quadropenia. A new stage play celebrates the 30th anniversary Exclusive interview by Michael Hamilton MH: How did you get involved with the movie? Franc: I’d directed a film for TV called Dummy which won a Prix Italia drama prize, and the producer of Quadrophenia, Roy Baird, was looking for someone to direct