Cheryl's Estranged Brother Andrew Tweedy Spotted Homeless Outside Morrisons
Andrew Tweedy, the 45-year-old estranged brother of pop star Cheryl, has been seen living in a tent and begging for money outside a Morrisons supermarket in Jarrow, South Tyneside. New photographs this week show him residing on the pavement, a stark reminder of his ongoing struggles with homelessness and addiction.
A History of Homelessness and Addiction
Andrew was first discovered to be homeless in 2021, and recent images confirm his situation has not improved. He spends his days hoping customers will buy him food, telling sources, 'I have been in rehab three times but I’m not going back. I am one of those people that take one step forward and ten steps back. Every time.' His sister Cheryl, 42, has made numerous attempts to support him, including funding a £20,000 rehabilitation stint, but these efforts have proven unsuccessful.
In 2021, Andrew revealed his plight to The Sun, stating, 'This is what I’m f***ing living like. I’ve been begging here for more than three months and it’s something that has really broken my heart.' He expressed that Cheryl likely had no idea he was homeless, adding, 'Even though Cheryl’s not helping me, she’s still my family. She probably won’t even know I’m on the streets, I don’t blame her at all. This is the lowest I’ve ever been.'
Legal Troubles and Criminal Past
Andrew has a long history with crime, having appeared in court more than 50 times. Last month, he was in court for being drunk and disorderly outside the same Morrisons, where he reportedly told officers to 'F*** off' when they arrived. His criminal record includes:
- Participating in his first robbery at age 13.
- A 1996 conviction for stabbing two students in a street fight, leading to three years in a Young Offender Institution.
- A 2005 sentence of four years for the brutal mugging of a teenager, which he jumped bail for, spending five weeks on the run.
- A 2011 jail term of six years for involvement in an armed robbery at a Post Office.
Local authorities have indicated they have no 'real right' to move Andrew from the council-owned land where his tent is pitched, and he is said to be awaiting temporary accommodation.
Cheryl's Heartache and Support Efforts
Despite Cheryl's public silence on the matter, Andrew has acknowledged her unwavering support in the past. Speaking from his jail cell in 2008, he told the Sunday Mirror, 'Cheryl wants to help me - but I'm too far gone. I know I'm breaking her heart, but I'm not strong enough to sort myself out.' He described her as being 'crippled by worry' and making covert jail visits, where she held his hand and begged him to let her and then-husband Ashley Cole pay for rehab.
Andrew rejected the offer, fearing he would let her down, but noted she was behind him 'every step of the way.' He expressed hope to one day repay her kindness, saying in 2008, 'It tears me up to think I'm causing my little sister so much pain. I've told Cheryl she should be ashamed of me, but she says she loves me and she'll never give up on me.'
Background and Current Circumstances
Andrew, a former labourer, became hooked on glue at a young age after growing up on a heroin-ravaged estate in Newcastle. He has long battled drug and alcohol addiction, with his tent reportedly found alongside bottles of urine and empty beer cans, shared with a homeless friend. He was forced onto the streets after a relationship breakdown earlier in 2021 and has a son.
It remains unclear what Andrew's current circumstances are, as The Daily Mail has contacted Cheryl's representative for comment without immediate response. The Girls Aloud star has never publicly addressed the heartache surrounding her brother, but his struggles continue to unfold in the public eye.
