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Fans descend on city for 'local hero' Sam Fender

A sea of black and white shirts descended on St James' Park for the first of three Sam Fender gigs in Newcastle.

The 31-year-old previously described playing at the Newcastle United stadium as a "childhood dream".

We caught up with his fans ahead of the first show, who said to see a "local lad doing well".

The North Shields-born musician began his career in 2013 and has achieved three UK top 10 singles and three UK number one albums.

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19 hours ago

Newcastle upon Tyne

Resident Emily Rice sat on a sofa. She is smiling and has short dark grey hair.

'My plan was to die here, this was my last home'

Almost 100 older people could lose their home, as a council is due to discuss its demolition.

A killer whale breaching the surface of the North Sea, seen from beside a fishing boat

Fishing boat's very close encounter with orca

A fisherman captures footage of the killer whale off the Northumberland coast on Tuesday morning.

A printed black and white picture of Otterburn Hall being held between two fingertips

'Otterburn Hall was just my whole life'

The grade II listed building closed in 2012 and has since fallen into disrepair.

A Franciscan Brother looks pensively out of the window of Alnmouth Friary

Franciscan brother on dedicating his life to others

"We don't live for ourselves, it's not the reason why we're put on this earth."

Dan Kennerley, Blyth Academy PE teacher wearing a black tracksuit

Dan Burn's PE teacher recreates Wembley goal

"Everyone thought he was going to score and when he put that header in, the roof just lifted off."

Two teenagers stand outside of a shop. One is wearing a face covering, the other's face has been blurred out.

'Brazen' teenagers make multiple shoplifting trips

The future of a Gateshead shop is at risk due to increasing levels of shoplifting, its owner says.

Purple-haired Lainya and her XL Bully, Smokey, sat on a green sofa with a light brown blanket draped over it.

'My XL bully was days away from being put to sleep'

Smokey, who now lives in Wallsend, was rescued from the Halfway Dog House in Northern Ireland last year.

Mark and Elisabeth Bryant stand in their door and welcome Yasmina inside.

Homeless student reunites with 'lifesavers'

Mark and Elisabeth from Whitley Bay housed Yasmina for a night when she found herself homeless.

A tall tree is illuminated by thousands of yellow Christmas lights. George Clarke stands in front holding a microphone, with his other hand raised in the air. A crowd watches on.

UK’s tallest living Christmas tree lit up

The 160-year-old, 42m (138ft) tree at Cragside is the height of two Angels of the North.

Paddleboarder in the sea

'We can reassure them that the water is good'

Bathing water in Cullercoats Bay is rated "poor", but locals say it "never causes a problem".

A shark's fin protruding from the water

Boat tour passengers' thrill at shark sighting

A shark sighting during a Farne Islands boat tour brings joy to passengers.

Smiling rapper NE-O about to go on stage.

Rapper represents North East at Reading & Leeds

A rapper from Whitley Bay represents the North East at Reading & Leeds Festival.

The glowing sphere has been seen across the UK, including Northumberland.

Full supermoon filmed in Northumberland

A photographer captures stunning footage of the full supermoon above Dunstanburgh Castle.

Fin Bowron stood beside his water-worthy creation, the shark boat

Great white shark boat spotted in Northumberland

"To get it out into the ocean...a dream come true. A small dream but, you know, some kind of dream."

Colour blind graffiti artist is youngest ever to exhibit work at Baltic

Colour blind graffiti artist, 11, tells of passion

Eleven-year-old Taye has been drawing and painting ever since he could hold a brush.

Newcastle fan zone England fans talking about politics

Euros football fans have their say on election

We ask fans in Newcastle if they plan to vote on 4 July, and what issues matter the most to them.

Frankie the retiring service dog with her handler Steven Carr, flanked by members of TWFRS

Retiring fire rescue dog receives guard of honour

Frankie, a Belgian Malinois, has been with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service since 2018.

Morgan Place stood beside William the horse

Charity-run stables saved by funds appeal

An appeal to raise vital funds for Stepney Bank Stables in Newcastle reaches its target.

Ian Glendinning, chair of Northern Red Squirrels

Red squirrel survival 'down to four pensioners'

The conservation group trap and kill invasive grey squirrels, to protect the native reds.

Ricky Gleeson from South Shields

Young offenders fighting back through fashion

The HoodEx charity runs a clothing programme and boxing gym to help reduce the risk of offending.