A CHARITY evening in honour of Sir Bobby Robson has been hailed a major success.

The former England and Newcastle United manager’s son, Mark Robson, said the night of music, sport and comedy at The Sage Gateshead was a triumph.

He said his father, who died aged 76 in 2009, a year after setting up his North-East cancer charity, would have been ‘gobsmacked’ by the response.

The 1,600 seat venue was sold out and stars from the world of entertainment and sport came from across the country to lend their support.

Mark Robson, said: “It was a spectacular evening. Steve Harper and Shola Ameobi shared some stories about dad with Jim Rosenthal and they were hilarious really. They brought the house down. They’re two funny chaps and it was good to hear them.”

The evening featured performances from Mark Knopfler, who performed Geordie anthem Local Hero, Joe McElderry, who sang Nessun Dorma, as well as Ruby Turner, Russell Watson and The Unthanks.

Hosted by Jim Rosenthal and former Lindisfarne singer Billy Mitchell, the night also featured Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, England legend Stuart Pearce as well as comedians Simon Day, Paul Whitehouse and Alistair McGowan.

Mr Robson added: “We’re just so grateful to everyone who helped make the night so special and particularly to the team of volunteers and the staff at The Sage Gateshead who put so much effort into it.

“The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s doing exceptionally well. I guess that’s thanks to Dad and his career and what people thought of him and we’re going to keep it going.

“It keeps my mum, my brothers and I very busy. It’s a lovely, lovely thing to do and to see the efforts of volunteers is humbling.”