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Sam Fender to host BBC documentary about late Lindisfarne singer Alan Hull

‘Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story’ will air November 26, in which Fender will follow the Newcastle band’s history

By Hollie Geraghty

Sam Fender next to Alan Hull performing live
The BBC documentary is set to air November 26. (Photos: YouTube).

Sam Fender will host a new documentary about late Lindisfarne frontman Alan Hull later this week.

The BBC Four programme ‘Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story’ will air November 26 at 9pm, in which Fender will follow the band’s history.

In the film, the North Shields singer will trace the career of “the man whose words and music put Newcastle and supergroup Lindisfarne on the musical map in the 1970s,” according to the BBC.

“Sam is amazed how few people outside of his native North East know about his hero’s work. He’s now on a mission to win back Alan’s place in music history,” a statement read.

The documentary will also feature interviews with stars like Sting, Elvis Costello, Peter Gabriel and more, who were fans of the band and songs like ‘Lady Eleanor’ and ‘Fog On The Tyne’.

Watch the trailer below.

“I was lucky enough to make music and travel the world with Alan for over 25 years and despite the commercial success of Lindisfarne, Alan never received the recognition he deserved as a ‘world-class’ songwriter,” Ray Laidlaw, drummer and founding member of Lindisfarne, said. “I hope our film puts Alan’s songwriting genius beyond doubt.”

Guitarist and founding member Rod Clements added: “Alan’s recognition nationally as a unique and overlooked talent is long overdue. This documentary will rectify that, with affectingly humble and enthusiastic enquiring from Sam Fender, and ringing endorsements from Alan’s better-known contemporaries.

“I’m proud to have been part of this tribute to an underrated artist and friend.”

In the trailer, Fender says that he thinks Hull is “one of the most fantastic songwriters that this country has ever seen”.

Elsewhere, in Rolling Stone UK’s cover story with Sam Fender, the singer reflected on how special home is, which helped shaped him as an artist.

“I love my home. I love Shields,” he said, speaking about his new house. “I’m really chuffed, right, because it’s a posh house, but I’ve still got an NE29 postcode, so I feel like a [Geordie tough nut] radgee.”

Fender was also recently announced to headline Tramlines Festival 2022, along with Kasabian and Madness, which is set to take place in Sheffield from July 22-24  next summer.