Famous Faces: Monument Metro station

1996
Artist: Robert Olley
Blackett Street entrance, Monument Metro

Bob Olley is a popular and iconic artist from North Shields. His work is often light-hearted and features mining scenes and everyday life. His most famous work is undoubtedly Westoe Netty.

Bob created the mural during his tenure of Artist in Residence at the Customs House Gallery in South Shields. It shows local celebrities from many disciplines, including the theatre and television, music, sport, business, literature, and the church.

Left panel

Robson Green: a prolific actor and presenter, Green has set up Coastal Productions, an independent production company providing opportunities to North Eastern talent.

Brian Johnson: founder member of rock band Geordie (1971-1978); lead singer of AC/DC (1980-present).

Sir Brendan Foster: long distance runner and commentator, Brendan has competed in three Olympic Games and broke World and Olympic Records. He is a gold medal winner in the Commonwealth Games. Brendan founded the Great North Run.

Rowan Atkinson: actor, comedian and writer. Rowan is perhaps best known for the comedy series Blackadder and Mr Bean, in which he played the title characters.

Centre panel

Sir John Hall: property developer; president and former chairman of Newcastle United Football Club

Peter Beardsley: former footballer and coach.

Dame Catherine Cookson: best selling and prolific author of novels mostly set in South Tyneside. Many books  have been adapted for tv, film, radio and the stage.

Tim Healy: actor best known for his work in comedy and comedy drama series, including Auf Wiedersehn Pet, Open All Hours, and Benidorm.

Jack Charlton: footballer and manager. Part of the English team that won the 1966 World Cup.

Right panel

Paul Gascoigne: nicknamed Gazza, Paul was probably the most talented footballer of his generation.

Jimmy Nail: singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, and television writer. He starred in Auf Wiedersehn Pet alongside Tim Healy.

Sting: musician, songwriter and actor, founder member of the band the Police. He has won many awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.

Cardinal Basil Hume: monk, priest and abbot of the Benedictine monestary of Ampleforth Abbey. Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 to 1999. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled his statue outside St Mary's Cathedral, opposite Newcastle Central Station.

Mike Neville: reporter, newsreader, and anchor of many local news programmes for more than 40 years. He achieved national fame but turned down offers to move to London.


 


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