In November 2004 funny man Frank Carson returned to South Shields to do one of his many charity shows. Frank, with his two well know catch phrases, IT'S A CRACKER and IT'S THE WAY I TELL 'EM is no stranger to the town, as a young comedian in the sixties he made South Shields his base from which he toured the many working- men's clubs in the North East.

" To sit next to Frank at a fund raising dinner is a wonderfully hilarious experience, apart from his spot on stage, he constantly tells jokes, his repertoire is endless and he has a magnificent memory, it is very difficult to eat with tears running down your face," says Bob.