The story behind the hottest ticket in Newcastle as Sam Fender plays intimate City Hall show

Admission into an intimate Sam Fender show taking place at Newcastle's O2 City Hall tonight is the hottest ticket in town.

The North Shields star will play to just 1,750 at the iconic venue to raise money for local charity North East Homeless today, Tuesday, May 24.

Fender is a patron of the homelessness charity and is putting on the show to help raise funds.

Tickets to the gig were given out via a ballot system with many of those who missed out still desperately looking online for any spares.

It's been a quick turnaround for the show, which was only announced at the end of April.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, North East Homeless founder Brian Burridge told Gilly Hope how the special show came about.

He said: "During lockdown, he [Fender] wanted to go somewhere where he could practice his piano so he did that here and became a friend.

"After lockdown when he got his gigs going again he just wanted to help.

"I offered him to be a patron and thought if I don't ask him, I might not get the chance, so I asked him and he jumped at it.

"He's raised our profile, is raising funds, he's just a great lad.

"Anyone who meets him will tell you that."

As well as tonight's gig, Fender shouted out the charity live at The Brit Awards earlier this year when he collected the gong for Best Alternative/Rock Act.

Speaking on that moment, Brian said: "He never told us, he just does things."

Fender will be on stage at the O2 City Hall at 9 pm tonight, with doors at 7 pm and Heidi Curtis opening at 8 pm.

Tickets are sold out and a sum of around £130,000 is expected to be made from the night.