Six aspiring comedy writers are getting the chance to follow in some famous North East footsteps after being shortlisted for an award celebrating the region’s comedy-writing heritage.
Their work will be performed live at Sketch for Sammy, an annual showcase organised by the Sunday for Sammy Trust, at The Exchange 1856 in North Shields on Sunday, October 18.
The finalists will compete for the Clement & La Frenais Award, named after the writing partnership behind solid gold TV treasures such as Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, The Likely Lads and Porridge, with professional mentoring to help them develop their sketches.
And there’s the possibility of an even bigger audience further down the line, with their work also being considered for inclusion in the 2028 Sunday for Sammy arena show, affectionately known as the Geordie Command Performance.
The six shortlisted sketches cover a variety of comic territory.
Sam Bell is behind Finding the New Wera, while Jake Wilson Craw has written Modern Monster Dating and Georgia Nicholson is responsible for Aaall Rise.
Ian McCormick and Ian Greatbatch have teamed up for Black Tongue Al, Holly Johnson is the writer of Geordie Bond, and Andy Mather completes the shortlist with Hang Out Me Smalls.
For Andy, the competition marks a first venture into comedy writing.
“It’s my first ever attempt at writing a sketch and I can’t wait to see it brought to life!”
Holly Johnson is similarly pleased to be involved, saying: “It’s a dream come true to get to work with a proper Geordie institution.”
Meanwhile, Jake Wilson Craw is looking forward to the prospect of seeing his work performed, describing it as “Such a fabulous opportunity to see my strange comedy on the big stage.”
The evening will be hosted by Sunday for Sammy trustees and comedians Cal Halbert and Kelly Rickard, with live music alongside the six competing sketches.
The judging panel comprises Charlie Hardwick, Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell, who will decide which of the finalists takes home the Clement & La Frenais Award.
Sketch for Sammy forms part of the wider work of the Sunday for Sammy Trust, established in memory of actor Sammy Johnson to support emerging performers and creative talent in the North East entertainment industry.
The trust’s arena productions have become a fixture of the region’s entertainment calendar, bringing together established performers while helping develop opportunities for the next generation.
Tickets for Sketch for Sammy 2026 on October 18 at The Exchange, North Shields are available at sundayforsammy.org.