‘Another one down’: Sam Fender’s local pub congratulate former employee on Brit Award win

Sam Fender's adored local pub, who got a shout out at The Brit Awards 2022 last night, have issued a message of congratulations to their former employee.

The North Shields singer/songwriter triumphed at the revered awards show, picking up the accolade for Best Rock and Alternative Act.

It's the star's second Brit Award, adding to the Critics' Choice Award he received in 2019.

That award is housed at Fender's local watering hole in North Shields, the Low Lights Tavern.

The pub has been pivotal in the singer's success story.

Not only did he once pull pints behind the bar, but it's at the Low Lights Tavern where Sam was discovered.

He referenced that moment in his acceptance speech on Tuesday night.

Picking up the award alongside his Geordie bandmates, Fender said: "Thanks to the fans first of all, as this was fan-voted.

"For Owen, my manager, thanks for walking in that pub 10 years ago and believing in it.

"Thanks to the team, to everybody back in Shields and everybody in the North East homeless centre right now who's watching us who we support and love.

"See you guys when we get back home."

Speaking to NewcastleWorld on Wednesday morning, Gregg from the Low Lights Tavern shared his congratulations for Fender.

He said: "Well done to Sam from the Low Lights team.

"I was working so couldn't watch it, but we saw him win his award.

"Congratulations to him, it's a good achievement and another one down.

"We haven't got a clue when we see him, that'll be entirely up to Sam when he decides he wants to come back."

Fender had already promised the pub another one his awards to keep at the bar, should he triumph.

The 'Seventeen Going Under' singer's 2019 Brit Award currently sits atop the Low Lights ale and the bar hopes to add the new award to one of the pumps next to it.

Bar manager Lynsey Guthrie remembered working with Fender when speaking to the site on Monday.

She said: "He worked here seven or eight years ago.

"He was the worst employee and I've got no hesitation in saying that.

"He was the worst barman ever.

"He'd pull half a pint for someone, let it settle and then go mess around on the guitar.

"Then he'd come back and say 'oh, I forgot to finish your drink'".