Newcastle United boasts a passionate fanbase, with many celebrities pledging their allegiance to the club over the years. While most hail from the North East, some have more obscure roots and connections to the black-and-whites. Here are some famous names you may not have known support the Magpies.
Actors and Presenters
Brian Blessed, the booming-voiced English actor, grew up supporting Manchester United but later developed a strong soft spot for Newcastle. He famously memorised their FA Cup-winning line-ups from 1951, 1952, and 1955.
Charlie Hunnam, best known for Sons of Anarchy and his role as Ed Gein in Netflix's Monster series, was born and raised in Newcastle. He still attends major games whenever he travels back to the UK to visit family, proudly carrying his love for the club to Los Angeles.
David Olusoga, the BAFTA-winning presenter and historian, was born in Gateshead and played with Paul Gascoigne as a schoolboy. Matt Baker, of The One Show and Countryfile, grew up in County Durham and supports Newcastle, though he keeps it quiet as many of his mates are Sunderland fans.
Musicians and Comedians
Dave Baksh, Sum 41's lead guitarist, fell in love with Newcastle United after seeing a hologram of Alan Shearer on a cereal box during a school trip to the UK from Canada in the 1990s. He once left his NUFC guitar pick at the O2 Academy after a gig.
Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers moved to Newcastle in 1987 and became a supporter. He revealed: "My first wife lived in Newcastle, so I moved up there from London and I lived in Newcastle for 15, 16 years… That’s kind of when they got under my skin. For better or worse, you know they’re there. They’re part of the fabric of my life, I’m stuck with them."
Casisdead, the Brit award-winning rapper, revealed his North London upbringing had a Geordie lineage, saying: "I wasn't given much choice. There was only one club I was going to be allowed to support. This was the place; special." Asim Chaudhry, known for People Just Do Nothing, is a lifelong Magpies supporter and appeared in a promotional video for an adidas kit release last season.
Politicians and Sports Stars
Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, is a Newcastle supporter thanks to his 'Uncle Dave' and attended matches at St James' Park in his younger years. Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister, has supported the club since childhood and reportedly treasures a number 9 shirt signed by Alan Shearer.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand's Prime Minister between 2008 and 2011, was born in Newcastle and declared his support for the Toon Army in 2008. Cameron Norrie, the British tennis star, follows Newcastle despite a global upbringing. Chris Eubank, the boxing legend from South London, is also a well-known follower of the club.
Gabby Logan began supporting Newcastle while studying at Durham University during the Entertainers era under Kevin Keegan. James Bay, the singer, is a passionate supporter despite growing up in Hertfordshire. Norman Wisdom, though a lifelong Brighton fan, developed a deep affinity for Newcastle through his friendship with Geordie army comrade Pat Dickinson, often visiting St James' Park and describing himself as an 'honorary Geordie'.
