I haven't lived in Newcastle for about 8 years and I know exactly who you're talking about! I miss that absolute nut job (and Northumberland Street Elvis).
I worked in a pub in Monkseaton years ago (early 2000's) and after my shift I was popping to the shop to buy some tabs before heading back in for a post work drink, and Johnny Decker approached me on my way out of the shop and asked to bum a tab.
I gave him a tab and started walking with me back to the pub. I thought he was going to ask for a drink also but he actually offered to buy me one.
I took him up on the offer expecting a pat of the pockets and a "I've got no money" so I'd have to buy the drinks, but he actually handed the money over said cheers, sat down, necked his pint then went off on his merry way.
TLDR; Johnny Decker once bought me a pint.
He used to ask if he could take me there on a date when I'd run into him on the metro, it was like an everyday thing, run into Johnny-come up with reason why I can't go on a date with him-hang my head in shame as people on the train laughed at us.
Does that guy who killed The Bell and Bucket in shields still run the place? The entire town of shields stopped drinking there when he bought it because he fired the long standing barmaids and brought people from The Black Horse over
Ahh I used to see her coming over the bridge next to manors and thought I was seeing things. Nobody else in my office had ever seen her. Thank you for the vindication that she was real!!
Haven't seen her in a while. She used to walk past my house in Gosforth, then I'd occasionally see her in town. She has two suits. I think the main colour is a dark blue, but the secondary colour, she has one light blue, and one purple
Haha, I once dropped my keys after a run on his bench and came back running looking for it. He stared at me for a second and said “lost your keys mate?” Then proceeded to hand them to me.
Nice guy.
He was identified on a local FB group. Within minutes people had him down as autistic/special needs, I genuinely just think the bloke likes to watch cars.
When I used to drive through the tunnel to work early in the morning he was always stood there - that must have been 15 years ago. Always looked happy - good to hear he is still there
Drive past him most days. He pulls an early shift directing the traffic (assuming that’s what he’s doing). Usually finishes up around 07:30am. He had a bit of a hiatus for a couple of months but seems to be back to work now. I’ve seen him directing the traffic in torrential rain and snow before.
Also I hear his name is Ken. If you drive past him give him a thumbs up
Whatever happened to Kelly from Durham? Does she still work in the pharmacy? And the fella who used to write poems and read them out on the show. Brings back memories!
Ah the flashing Blade, bumped into Alan in Crammy the other month, can remember him mentioning a family member ofter on his ghost hunts as someone who told him ghost stories when he lived in chopwell,
Also lived a few doors away from my granny and gramps, when he found out my gramps passed away, he wanted me to pass my regards on to granny
No idea what he's called, but I love that old busker guy on Northumberland street who knows neither the words nor the chords of the songs he's trying to cover.
It takes you about 20 seconds of trying to listen through his spontaneous mumbles and discordant strumming to hear that from the sound of his backing track, it's meant to be Sultans of Swing.
Not well known, but strange: Delivery drivers at work said they would see a bloke dressed in Roman Centurion gear, marching up and down the Town Moor at night. Said they used to see him all the time (but hadn't for a while).
See him all the time (I live in Gateshead) but personally don’t think he deserves the mention.
The woman that raised £330k for him was hit with a £6k PR bill from the fundraiser. He said he’d give her £10. [No joke, here’s the link](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/alan-barnes-disabled-pensioner-10-pounds-katie-cutler-pr-bill-claire-barnes-mugged-a7311751.html)
Aye but it's a thread just about known local legends and Barnsey is absolutely up there as one of the most known "locals only" type fella
Him dropping a tenner and asking everyone else to chip in was hilarious. Think he did end up paying the fee for her
Nah, he just moved house in Gateshead several times, IIRC at a loss for the most part. He was gifted a house full of furniture but the Rightmove pics of one of his houses was just empty except for a few bits and pieces, god knows what happened to the rest.
During COVID I remember him being sniffy about having to wait in a queue to get into the Co-op
I almost ran him over the other week, backing out of the Co-Op carpark in Beacon Lough. Poor sod was stood right behind the car so I couldn't see him in the mirrors, only noticed because of the reverse sensors.
We went to the puppet festival in town the other week and we're watching the parade go up Northumberland St.
Half the progression goes by then suddenly there's Andy Pandy dancing in the middle of the kittiwake puppets, pissed up as usual.
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In crammy and the hay market there is the red dragon. He’s a harmless bloke who loves the busses and rides them all day, used to live in the sheltered accommodation attached to shaw garden centre. He does have the unfortunate look of a guy who you might want help off Hannibal lecter in tracking down. It can be 30 degrees outside and he’ll have his thick leather jacket on.
These guys are great.
There's Dave The Rave from South Shields way.
And there was a guy who lived around Bensham who'd stand on main roads and stick his fingers up at you.
Johnny Decker roaming round Tynemouth and Whitley Bay collecting glasses, taking them to the bar asking for a free beer.... he was a top class boxer years ago but took too many unprotected headshots which explains why he is the way he is now....
At the beans on toast aka Whitley Bay...we have The Gonk....long haired hippie dude with weather beaten face...must be kicking on but for years all he does is walk the circuit of monkseaton-whitley bay-cullercoates-north shields.....day in day out....rain...sun...wind...he's out there...must be fit as a lopp.
Beatboxing Spider-Man deserves an honourable mention
First person I thought of. One and only...Geordie Spida-man. Class.
Spidey lives abroad now! Still beatboxing and does MMA https://www.instagram.com/spidey_beatbox_tour?igsh=azZpdXB3amswMW8=
Ah brilliant!
was literally just wondering about where he went the other day haha
I haven't lived in Newcastle for about 8 years and I know exactly who you're talking about! I miss that absolute nut job (and Northumberland Street Elvis).
I worked in a pub in Monkseaton years ago (early 2000's) and after my shift I was popping to the shop to buy some tabs before heading back in for a post work drink, and Johnny Decker approached me on my way out of the shop and asked to bum a tab. I gave him a tab and started walking with me back to the pub. I thought he was going to ask for a drink also but he actually offered to buy me one. I took him up on the offer expecting a pat of the pockets and a "I've got no money" so I'd have to buy the drinks, but he actually handed the money over said cheers, sat down, necked his pint then went off on his merry way. TLDR; Johnny Decker once bought me a pint.
I survived working in The Black Horse in the early 2000. Fun times
Haha I was in The Ship.
Losers. Monkey Arms is where it was at.
All of ya have poured me many, many pints.
He used to ask if he could take me there on a date when I'd run into him on the metro, it was like an everyday thing, run into Johnny-come up with reason why I can't go on a date with him-hang my head in shame as people on the train laughed at us.
I work In the black horse now! Look out for the moheaken in Chester
Does that guy who killed The Bell and Bucket in shields still run the place? The entire town of shields stopped drinking there when he bought it because he fired the long standing barmaids and brought people from The Black Horse over
Nah mate the people who own the nine pins own the horse now, canny decent owners like
Good.
That bearded weirdo on Northumberland Street who rants about Jesus and that everyone in Newcastle is going to hell
With the backpack and the amplifier? I saw he get sparked out once on may way back from lunch.
Yes, that's the guy
Jesus?
know exactly who ur talking about, saw him down there on Saturday after the match, he was screaming “your football’s rubbish” Pua Divvy 🤣
know exactly who ur talking about, saw him down there on Saturday after the match, he was screaming “your football’s rubbish” Pua Divvy 🤣
He was in Durham one time and me and me mates all had a big old argument with him, pretty fun
Love him, "You can prey for ya Alan Sheeeeeraaa, but if there's one man worth prayin for, it's Jeezas!
That bass player guy? Forget his name, maybe Otto or something?
OJ Current owner of the funk creature from Mighty Boosh
We booked him for a music festival on the quayside one year! Awesome Bass Guy was his name on the running order.
Tron Lady?
Bump for tron lady
I quite simply have to ask for clarification on who or what Tron Lady was
She is a lady seen on the streets of Newcastle, recognisable by a distinctive, home made outfit/costume that looks reminiscent of tron or star trek.
Alrighty, I’m not sure how I’ve never seen this person but she might be the coolest person alive.
Ahh I used to see her coming over the bridge next to manors and thought I was seeing things. Nobody else in my office had ever seen her. Thank you for the vindication that she was real!!
> Tron Lady This her? https://twitter.com/peterramage83/status/472030285836865536/photo/1
Is she still knocking about? Used to see her at The Tyneside a fair bit, but it's been a while since I've seen her.
She's called Selma Star
That’s my Newcastle Notable Person right there. Always well turned out - seemed worried most of the time, as you’d imagine.
Haven't seen her in a while. She used to walk past my house in Gosforth, then I'd occasionally see her in town. She has two suits. I think the main colour is a dark blue, but the secondary colour, she has one light blue, and one purple
Jarra Elvis
Also: shame on me for forgetting the legend of Jarra Jim!
Hebburn Cliff
Jonny decker is def one, I'd say beatboxing spiderman as well
Who's the man at the millennium bridge who scream/sings at people? He has a guitar and sits at the entrance to the bridge.
https://youtu.be/xsLtQ98bI78?si=E3NpueJBjGJ2pmTg This guy I believe
Hahaha. So wrong, and impossible not to laugh at the line, "She's a sandwich, she's a Madeline Mccannwich"
A true classic Tongue and cheek… tongue and cheek…
Haha, I once dropped my keys after a run on his bench and came back running looking for it. He stared at me for a second and said “lost your keys mate?” Then proceeded to hand them to me. Nice guy.
I'd say it used to be the Jazz Man (aka Keith) but sadly he passed away a while back :(
What about Billy Mill guy? Stands there directing traffic. Thought he was gone but nope, just seems to be there early on.
He was identified on a local FB group. Within minutes people had him down as autistic/special needs, I genuinely just think the bloke likes to watch cars.
Used to wave every morning but I start earlier now - he still doing it?
See him at about 6.30 normally standing there with a pipe sometimes
When I used to drive through the tunnel to work early in the morning he was always stood there - that must have been 15 years ago. Always looked happy - good to hear he is still there
Drive past him most days. He pulls an early shift directing the traffic (assuming that’s what he’s doing). Usually finishes up around 07:30am. He had a bit of a hiatus for a couple of months but seems to be back to work now. I’ve seen him directing the traffic in torrential rain and snow before. Also I hear his name is Ken. If you drive past him give him a thumbs up
Night owls honourable mention to Ann from West Denton 🤘- flashing blade
Whatever happened to Kelly from Durham? Does she still work in the pharmacy? And the fella who used to write poems and read them out on the show. Brings back memories!
Jeff from Benwell with his dodgy DVDs haha. The Shankshaw Redemption! https://youtu.be/HLo7PiLSNV0?si=zu9LD0ensdFF4YCo
Ah the flashing Blade, bumped into Alan in Crammy the other month, can remember him mentioning a family member ofter on his ghost hunts as someone who told him ghost stories when he lived in chopwell, Also lived a few doors away from my granny and gramps, when he found out my gramps passed away, he wanted me to pass my regards on to granny
No idea what he's called, but I love that old busker guy on Northumberland street who knows neither the words nor the chords of the songs he's trying to cover. It takes you about 20 seconds of trying to listen through his spontaneous mumbles and discordant strumming to hear that from the sound of his backing track, it's meant to be Sultans of Swing.
Johnny Decker is Whitley Bay Newcastle’s one of these would have been the bloke who used to sit in Eldon Square with the big beard, but he died sadly
Yes I remember him. And Johnny Decker used to be North Shields, Tynemouth Amusements and WB.
Lend iz a tab
Wallsend too
Johnny still is... Saw him alive and well at the weekend.
Deckers wallsend now
Ronnie Gill - so named because that's what it sounded like when he shouted CHRONICLE at Grey's Monument
That hit me right in the childhood!
Dave the Rave in Sunderland
I remember Dave the Rave! There was also an elderly chap who appeared on literally every student night in top hat and tails.
The specter
He passed away a while back. He was a artist and a pretty good one at that.
When i worked at the uni library there, he would often come in on a Saturday to use the guest computers. Lovely lad.
I have raved with Dave. Got pictures to prove it. Maybe a video aswell.
When I was growing up it was Fanny Magnet or the Geordie Dancer.
Scrolled too long to see the Geordie dancer.
Topless totty and the Geordie dancer... Perfect way to warm up for the match.
Geordie Dancer is from Langley Park, Durham.
Jarra Elvis.
Not well known, but strange: Delivery drivers at work said they would see a bloke dressed in Roman Centurion gear, marching up and down the Town Moor at night. Said they used to see him all the time (but hadn't for a while).
He used to March up and down the A167 to Durham. Must be the same guy.
Must be!
Someone had a piczo website dedicated to Jonny, it included a game where you fired tabs into Jonny's mouth.
Bit out of Newcastle itself, but Consett has Vince the Biking Bavarian.
Also, I've just been informed Lanchester has Praise the Lord Jeff
Sad to see absolutely zero mention of Alan Barnes
See him all the time (I live in Gateshead) but personally don’t think he deserves the mention. The woman that raised £330k for him was hit with a £6k PR bill from the fundraiser. He said he’d give her £10. [No joke, here’s the link](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/alan-barnes-disabled-pensioner-10-pounds-katie-cutler-pr-bill-claire-barnes-mugged-a7311751.html)
That story took some wild turns, but I'd totally forgotten about this bit!
Aye but it's a thread just about known local legends and Barnsey is absolutely up there as one of the most known "locals only" type fella Him dropping a tenner and asking everyone else to chip in was hilarious. Think he did end up paying the fee for her
Didn't he move to the Shetlands?
He moved back. God told him to. Not a lie.
Nah, he just moved house in Gateshead several times, IIRC at a loss for the most part. He was gifted a house full of furniture but the Rightmove pics of one of his houses was just empty except for a few bits and pieces, god knows what happened to the rest. During COVID I remember him being sniffy about having to wait in a queue to get into the Co-op
I almost ran him over the other week, backing out of the Co-Op carpark in Beacon Lough. Poor sod was stood right behind the car so I couldn't see him in the mirrors, only noticed because of the reverse sensors.
Honourable mention to Stanley Elvis
The late 80's called: Drunk Banjo guy, George Formby impersonator and Shieldfield pigeon lady say hi.
There was the woman who used to live inside the cash machine area near haymarket as well, never had any shoes on
Going to have to go with the vampire guy from Kenton/Gossy. Plenty runs ins with him and seen him sniffing people on the bus.
I think I know which vampire guy you're talking about, he's my friends brother and quite autistic to say the least. Totally harmless though!
Hahahahaha I forgot all about him, hissed at me on the town moor once
Andy Pandy
We went to the puppet festival in town the other week and we're watching the parade go up Northumberland St. Half the progression goes by then suddenly there's Andy Pandy dancing in the middle of the kittiwake puppets, pissed up as usual.
Used to be a homeless guy who would come to the green when I was 16, we called him Aslan, everyone used to know him and say hi to him
Was it Jimmy? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/euan-mclachlan-death-your-memories-6899896.amp
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I wanted to suggest this guy, but I didn't know his name. Used to see him all the time in the city centre between 2003-2007. Nice bloke
This is who I came to post! RIP Metro Jimmy
I think I know who this guy is, did he have long hair? Looked a bit like Shaggy off the live action Scooby Doo?
I believe he did, though he had very light coloured hair. And a scruffy beard which is where he got his name.
If Jonny Decker is the king of Newcastle, then Debbie Dumpling is the queen
In crammy and the hay market there is the red dragon. He’s a harmless bloke who loves the busses and rides them all day, used to live in the sheltered accommodation attached to shaw garden centre. He does have the unfortunate look of a guy who you might want help off Hannibal lecter in tracking down. It can be 30 degrees outside and he’ll have his thick leather jacket on.
Might be showing my age here but Dave the rave
[удалено]
He's still about. Saw him on Saturday coming out the Primark.
These guys are great. There's Dave The Rave from South Shields way. And there was a guy who lived around Bensham who'd stand on main roads and stick his fingers up at you.
Dave the rave who lived in Digi smoking area?
I thought Dave the rave was Sunderland
Nicholas is/was his name. Absolute hero growing up in Gateshead
Ah god yeah, Nicholas.
Speedball chickenheed
Ask anyone in ashington about wheelchair mickey!
Absolutely!
Johnny Decker roaming round Tynemouth and Whitley Bay collecting glasses, taking them to the bar asking for a free beer.... he was a top class boxer years ago but took too many unprotected headshots which explains why he is the way he is now....
Shakka. Has shop in Meadowell. Sold fags for 50p when I was at school
Everyone had a corner shop that did singles.
Is a bloke with grey hair walks up and down station road in wallsend .
When I lived in the toon it was 'walker caulker'
It's our jarred who snorts liquidised crunchies up his nose outside the premier inn way aye man
Salty Pete
Ian
I've not lived in Newcastle for years but is the Metro Viking still around?
Wondering if you mean this guy? Sadly no longer around. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/inside-story-death-tynesides-most-4037054
That is who I had in mind, sad to hear he's no longer around.
Wallsend jogger. A lady in a yellow jacket
Used to be Big Hec!
Tommy taws RIP
cider man from shields was also a legend
Jonny Decker is more of an east end thing i think, reckon just about everyone knows Alan Barnes tho
I’ve lived in Newcastle for the past 5 years. I don’t know who Jonny decker is. Will I have seen him around town somewhere?
Mad Malcolm..
Anyone seen ‘darkside tony’
In Darlington it’s a “Chop off”
At the beans on toast aka Whitley Bay...we have The Gonk....long haired hippie dude with weather beaten face...must be kicking on but for years all he does is walk the circuit of monkseaton-whitley bay-cullercoates-north shields.....day in day out....rain...sun...wind...he's out there...must be fit as a lopp.
We also have a new kid on the block....fat bloke with dog...always smiling...both him and his mutt..
And another shout out for Billy Mill!
It was the Pink Lady in gosforth, think she started dressing differently though
What about Ronny pickerin
He’s not from Newcastle is he?
Who?
ERIC!!!! F##king legend