Geordie singer’s humble local anthem reaches worldwide fame

A Geordie singer who penned a local anthem has found global recognition.

Junior Turner's 'Banks of the River Tyne' has become a much-loved ditty on Tyneside. ,

The track serves up a hearty portion of local pride and reflects on Newcastle's colourful history.

For many, the song has also become the soundtrack to Newcastle United's recent takeover with Turner a big Magpies fan himself.

Recently, the 37-year-old singer opened up to Newcastle World about his health problems and life expectancy of 40.

The singer suffers from a hereditary blood clotting disorder and spoke of his desire 'to leave something behind' with 'Banks of the River Tyne'.

Having played the track to raucous crowds across Newcastle and recently raised hundreds of pounds for the NUFC Fans Food Bank, now Turner is gaining fans from further afield.

This week 'Banks of the River Tyne' was featured on Saudi Arabian site EPL World.

The EPL World social media account boasts 2.2 million followers and labelled the track, 'the song most requested by fans in Newcastle'.

Speaking on his success abroad, Junior said it was a 'special' feeling.

He told Newcastle World: "To see the song now not only gaining such amazing growth and positive feedback here in the UK but now overseas so much so it’s featured on the Premier League page in Saudi Arabia with 2.2 million followers is phenomenal to say the least.

"If the world didn’t already know, then the song will hopefully help teach them why Newcastle is such a special and the people who come from here are the best on the planet that you could wish to meet.”