Elaine Rennie, a North East singer who rose to fame in the 1990s after appearing as Belinda Carlisle on Stars in Their Eyes, was allegedly attacked with her own guitar while busking in Sunderland early Sunday morning following England's World Cup quarter-final victory.
Attack details
The incident occurred around 1:30am on July 12, 2026, near Vine Place in Sunderland. Rennie, 55, was performing and live-streaming on social media when a man she described as appearing drunk attempted to take her guitar. He allegedly succeeded and struck her twice with the instrument before fleeing.
Rennie sustained a broken nose, a significant bruise on her eye, and a cut on the bridge of her nose. She said: "It was pretty bad. They've got me an appointment to get my nose re-set. It's been very painful."
Previous incidents
This is not the first time Rennie has been attacked while busking. She previously suffered broken ribs in an incident on the Swing Bridge in Newcastle. "This is the fourth or fifth time something like this has happened," she said. "I know people are often drunk - maybe they don't know what they are doing. With 99% of people, they are so happy when I sing but it's just this one person here. I was shocked and traumatised at the time."
Police response
Northumbria Police confirmed they are aware of the report and enquiries are ongoing. Rennie is receiving medical treatment for her injuries.
