David Olusoga, the historian and star of Celebrity Traitors, has become the latest celebrity to dine at Colmans, the renowned fish and chip restaurant in South Shields. The visit on Monday followed his sold-out guest lecture at the annual South Shields Lecture, held at Harton Academy.
Star-Studded Chippy History
Colmans, which celebrates its centenary this year, has a long history of hosting famous faces, including Hillary Clinton, James Corden, Alison Hammond, and Princess Anne. Olusoga, who reached the final of Celebrity Traitors last year, enjoyed a post-event meal alongside invited guests from politics, entertainment, and business at the original Ocean Road location.
Childhood Connection to Gazza
During his 80-minute lecture, Olusoga spoke about his upbringing as a mixed-race child on Tyneside and his stint as a Faithful on the BBC series. He also shared a personal memory of a schoolyard incident involving football legend Paul Gascoigne. According to Olusoga, Gazza once picked him up off the ground after bullies had knocked him over.
Colmans Director Praises Visit
Richard Colman Ord, director of Colmans Hospitality Group, expressed delight at hosting the historian. “David was an absolute gentleman and everybody loved him,” he said. “We’ve been lucky enough to welcome a few famous faces to our restaurants over the years and David’s visit will live long in the memory.” He added: “To welcome one of the world’s greatest historians to Ocean Road, in the year Colmans celebrates its centenary, is incredibly fitting. He was keen to find out about our own place in the history of South Shields and find out more about the family’s story and our roots.”
