Stone Roses want to play 'Sunderland - and other places you'd least like to live,' says Ian Brown

The 53-year-old was signing pictures outside Church Studios in North London and talking to fans about gigs he'd like the band to play when he expressed what sounded like an earnest interest in performing in Wearside.

"We'd like to place places you'd least like to live - like Sunderland, Grimsby. But not advertised it as that, know what I mean," he laughed.

A voice off-camera is also heard to say "Hartlepool".

The legendary Manchester outfit are playing three sell-out gigs in their home city's Ethiad Stadium in June, with another date in Dublin in July.

Recent years have seen several world renowned acts playing at the Stadium of Light, including Take That, Bruce Springsteen, The Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

This summer's offering is Beyoncé on June 28, Rihanna having cancelled her gig due to "logistical issues".