After a week of new sketches being posted online every day, the winner of the 2020 Sketch for Sammy comedy scriptwriting competition’ – ‘Taalkin Heeds’ has been announced.
The seven finalists saw their work acted out by professional actors and posted online for the public to comment and the judges to review. The winning sketch, “Geordie Alexa” by Chris Groom and featuring Craig Richardson and the voice of Vik Kay was the choice of judges, Tim Healy, Denise Welch and Elliott Kerrigan.
First time comedy writer Chris Groom from Purley just outside of Croydon has a great affection for the North East and Newcastle in particular. The retired graphic designer has dabbled in writing as a sideline mostly in music journalism. His love of the band Lindisfarne since the 1970’s saw him travelling regularly to concerts at Newcastle City Hall to see the band and then he became hooked on the Sunday for Sammy shows too.
“Trying to write comedy was new ground for me, so I was surprised to make the final seven and absolutely gobsmacked to win, especially having seen the quality of the other finalists. Sunday for Sammy is a great event, so I’m really proud to have a tiny part in its ongoing story,” he said.
Judge and Chair of the Sunday for Sammy Trust, Tim Healy :
“We all agreed it had to be Geordie Alexa. Thanks to all the writers and performers for giving up their time to give us a laugh in these tough times.”
Chris receives the prestigious Clement and La Frenais Comedy Award 2020 and his sketch will be short-listed for the 2022 Sunday for Sammy show which could mean that it has the chance of featuring in the next Sunday for Sammy DVD.
The other finalists were Jamie Diffley from Monkseaton, George Heron from Beamish, Andy Robson from Fenham, Lesley-Anne Newman from Morpeth, John Gibson from South Shields and Alice Blundell from Forest Hall.
The 2020 Sunday for Sammy DVD is out now with live music and comedy from a star-studded cast including: Jimmy Nail – Tim Healy – Kevin Whately – Denise Welch – Jason Cook – Chris Ramsey – Christopher Fairbank – Johnny Vegas – Rosie Ramsey – Joe McElderry – Jill Halfpenny – Trevor Horn – Michael Praed – Billy Mitchell -Chelsea halfpenny – Charlie Hardwick – Angela Lonsdale – Laura Norton and loads more…Available from JG Windows Newcastle and Metrocentre and www.jgwindows.com
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Photo: Chris Groom with his award (credit Julia Revell)
PR and Media Keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951
