Laugh Lines and Glory: New Comedy Talent Crowned at ‘A Sketch for Sammy’
The search for the North East’s next big comedy writer has found its champion! The Sunday for Sammy comedy scriptwriting competition, A Sketch for Sammy, has officially crowned a new recipient of the Ian La Frenais Award — and the laughs were loud and proud.
“We were thrilled to bring back A Sketch for Sammy as part of our mission to uncover and support fresh comedy talent,” said Ray Laidlaw, producer of the legendary Sunday for Sammy shows, which will once again storm Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 15th February 2026.
Presented by the mischievously marvellous Kelly Rickard and Cal Halbert, the evening served up a full buffet of brand-new sketches, stand-up, and songs. The audience feasted on local humour — from the lovingly absurd to the gloriously daft — as emerging writers took their turn in the comedy spotlight alongside some familiar funny faces.
This year’s final featured original sketches, each with its own take on life in the North East. The line-up included Buskers by Julie Meredith, Peeping Toms by Hendrika Segura Bigg, Blind Gate’sheed by Georgia Nicholson, Main Gate by Janet Plater and Metro Station Announcements by Vanessa Karon and Paul Dunn.
The night was rounded off with extra comedy chaos from Your Aunt Fanny and Metroland, plus music from Western Quay, all cheerfully held together by hosts Cal and Kelly, whose quick-fire banter kept the laughter rolling from start to finish.
Producer Ray Laidlaw added:
“It was a fantastic opportunity to see new comedy performed by professional actors in front of a live crowd. Who knows — maybe the winning sketch will even make it into the big Arena show in February!”
And that winning sketch? Step forward Hendrika Segura Bigg from Heaton, whose brilliantly awkward and side-splitting Peeping Toms took the top spot, delighting both the judges and the audience.
“I’m elated!” said Hendrika. “I usually write character monologues, so seeing my sketch acted out live with a. team of actors was just incredible — and slightly surreal! I might still be grinning this time next week.”
Sunday for Sammy is a charitable trust honouring the much-loved North East actor Sammy Johnson, star of Spender and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Through its now-legendary Arena shows — featuring local legends like Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Jill Halfpenny, Joe McElderry, and Jason Cook — the charity raises funds to support emerging North East creatives in music, theatre, comedy, and film.
The laughter continues when the next full-scale Sunday for Sammy show hits the Utilita Arena on Saturday 15th February 2026.
http://www.utilitaarena.co.uk/events/detail/sunday-for-sammy
Photos: Billy Mitchell presents the award to Hendrika Segura Bigg (Michael Bailey)
Photos The winning sketch (Michael Bailey)
Photos Hosts Cal and Kelly (Michael Bailey)
PR and Media Sunday for Sammy Keith Newman
Highlights PR
keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951