Sunday for Sammy set to screen the first of its sketches as it champions North East talent online

The finalists of Taalkin Heeds, a competition being run by the Sunday for Sammy Trust, will have their pieces shared online each evening from tomorrow evening, Sunday, November 8, at 6pm, with the last next Saturday, November 14.

Budding and established writers were asked to submit a short monologue for consideration by comedy writer Jason Cook, from Hebburn, and actor Viktoria Kay.

The seven finalists were mentored by Jason and Viktoria, who also cast the actors who performed the sketches on film, with the public to now pick their favourite as they are shared via Facebook, YouTube as well as the charity’s site.

The winning sketch, plus comments from judges Tim Healy, Denise Welch and Elliott Kerrigan, will be posted on www.sundayforsammy.org on Sunday, November 15, as the top writer is revealed.

The shortlisted writers are John Gibson from South Shields, Lesley-Anne Newman from Morpeth, former Shields Gazette and Sunderland Echo news editor Jamie Diffley, from Monkseaton, George Heron from Beamish, Andy Robson from Fenham, Chris Groom from Croydon and Alice Blundell from Forest Hall who, as an established actress, will also perform her own monologue.

The other actors to perform are Lewis Jobson, Paul Dunn, Craig Richardson, Kylie Ann Ford and Chris Connel.

Sunday for Sammy’s Ray Laidlaw said: “We’ve had a record number of entries this year and the standard of writing has been very high.

"Every one of these writers is a winner and their work will definitely put a smile on the faces of the public at a time when we all need a laugh.”

The winner will receive the Clement and La Frenais Comedy Award 2020 and the sketch will be shortlisted for the 2022 Sunday for Sammy show and could feature in the DVD.

This year’s show, which includes appearances by Joe McElderry, Chris Ramsey, Trevor Horn, Jimmy Nail, Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Denise Welch can be bought via JG Windows in Newcastle and the Metrocentre.

The Sunday for Sammy charity supports young people as they start their performing arts career.

It was set up in tribute to musician and actor Sammy Johnson, who played Stick in Spender and died in 1998 aged 49.

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