News & Sport

Inmates at the region’s prisons will tuck into turkey dinners with all the trimmings, and enjoy mince pies and hot chocolates on Christmas day.

David Wilson Homes hosted a festive celebration on December 10 at its Highgrove at Wynyard Park development, bringing together families from Wynyard and nearby communities for an evening of Christmas fun.

A doggy rescue centre which has faced “mounting pressure” over the past year says an outpouring of support and increase in donations has brought a welcome sense of relief this Christmas.

After the Christmas turkey has been eaten and all the presents have been opened, millions across the UK will be lacing up their boots for the traditional Boxing Day walk.

Police are investigating a gang attack in County Durham.

While Kylie Minogue recently secured the official UK Christmas Number One with her hit ‘XMAS’, the North East has been busy casting its own tactical votes. Durham OnAir, the local radio station for County Durham, has concluded its annual poll to find the region’s definitive festive favorite. After weeks of voting from listeners across the region from Wolsingham to Pelaw, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and Gateshead, the results are ready to be unveiled.

Singer Chris Rea, known for the festive hit 'Driving Home For Christmas', has died at the age of 74. His family said he died peacefully in hospital after a short illness. Christopher Anton Rea, the Middlesbrough-born blues-rock legend known for his soulful slide guitar and unmistakable husky baritone, has passed away at 74. From his start in music at age 22 to selling over 40 million albums, Rea’s journey was defined by a grit that mirrored the industrial landscape of his northern roots.

Lorne Michaels, Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions are delighted to announce further casting for the 2026/2027 UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL, visiting Sunderland Empire from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 April 2026. Joining the previously announced Emily Lane as Cady Heron, Vivian Panka as Regina George, Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith, Georgie Buckland as Janis Sarkisian, Max Gill as Damian Hubbard, Karim Zeroual as Kevin Ganatra and Joshua Elmore as Mr Duvall, are Faye Tozer as Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George and Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners.

A life-sized, official LEGO® sculpture of everyone’s favourite bookworm, Matilda, is arriving at Fenwick Newcastle this December! Built in partnership with Sunderland Empire, the spectacular statue celebrates the North East arrival of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning West End production Matilda The Musical this February.

HC-One’s St Margaret’s Care Home in Crossgate, County Durham, recently hosted its much-anticipated annual Christmas Fayre, bringing together residents, families, and the local community for a festive celebration.

The King and Queen attend a church service alongside other family members, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

He invokes the wartime spirit in his annual speech, delivered from Westminster Abbey.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman embrace on the dancefloor as they sign off as hosts after 11 years.

An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.

Organisers of some Christmas Day and Boxing Day swims have cancelled events due to the weather.

Eddie Howe has challenged Anthony Gordon to rediscover the consistency that has made him such a potent attacking weapon with Newcastle United

Regis Le Bris will hold talks over Arthur Masukau’s future when the Sunderland loanee returns from international duty with DR Congo at AFCON

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle United’s constantly-evolving injury situation will have a major impact on what they do in the January transfer window

Kim Hellberg admits there will almost certainly have to be departures in January if Middlesbrough are looking to bring in new signings

Renowned artist Lucy Pittaway has released Ha’way The Lads, a vibrant new painting celebrating Sunderland AFC’s heritage and identity in her signature artistic style