Following the announcement of the induction of Chris and Simon Donald, the second of the eight comedy heavyweights to be honoured as part of the first class for the North East Comedy Hall of Fame is an event, the North East showbusiness phenomenon Sunday For Sammy.
Launched in 2000 by Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail to celebrate the life of the actor Sammy Johnson, the show has grown exponentially and, this Sunday, will take place over two shows at Newcastle Utilita Arena.
This year's show is hosted by comedian Kelly Rickard and among songs, sketches and more, will feature comedians Dave Johns, Cal Halbert, Carl Hutchison and Sammy Dobson.
Kelly will be presenting the award on 10tH September to Ray Laidlaw, best known as the drummer of Lindisfarne, who is now one of Sunday for Sammy’s tireless organisers. The ceremony will also feature a sketch written under the Sketch For Sammy scheme that encourages promising new comedy writers in the region.
The event celebrates the outstanding individuals and achievements in the history North East comedy at a red carpet celebration of the region’s entertainment heritage taking place next year at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House.The event - described as “Like the Oscars but if it was a laugh and nobody got punched” - will formally launch a permanent North East Comedy Hall of Fame, at a location to be announced.
Ray will accept this award at a glamorous gala event at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House on Thursday September 10th 2026.
The star-studded show – with further special guests to be announced – will feature an evening of comedy and music celebrating the North East’s entertainment heritage.
Hosts, special guests and seven more initial inductees will be announced throughout the year – along with details of the location of the Hall of Fame itself.
The North East Comedy Hall of Fame is being developed by Felt Nowt, a non-profit co-operative run by local comedians to build and promote regional comedy and comedic talent and to take comedy into communities which might not otherwise have access to it.
Felt Nowt director Elaine Robertson said: “Sunday For Sammy is a huge part of the culture of the North East and we want to celebrate the comedy side of the shows as well as the encouragement to new writers that Sketch For Sammy provides. Most comedians never get to play an arena so that alone makes these shows special, before we even consider the huge amounts of money they have raised for local charities.”
