THE CANADIAN great-granddaughter of one of the North-East’s most famous sons, fondly nicknamed the Bard of Tyneside, unveiled a blue plaque dedicated to him.

Kasandra Van Keith attended a civic reception at Newcastle Civic Centre to see the plaque dedicated to Victorian musical hall superstar Joe Wilson.

While best-known on Tyneside, he had strong links to County Durham.

Joe rose to fame via the then 2,000-seat Balmbra’s Music Hall, in Newcastle’s Bigg Market, and his prestigious list of poems and songs included the regional classic Keep Your Feet Still Geordie, Hinny.

He was a crowd favourite in Bishop Auckland and his first job as theatre manager was in Spennymoor, where he ran Watson’s Cambridge Music Hall in 1871.

Joe was also lauded on Teesside, Darlington and Carlisle, where he is accredited as introducing music hall entertainment.

It was after seeing Joe perform in Stanley, County Durham, in 1864 that the then teenager and future “Pitman Poet” Tommy Armstrong found his artistic calling.

His wife Isabella ‘Bella’ English, herself a performer - billed as Mrs Joe Wilson Tyneside vocalist - had lived in Bishop Auckland and after Mr Wilson died of tuberculosis in 1875, aged 33, she and her family emigrated to Canada and lived with a friend from the town.

Joe and his twin Tom were born on November 1841 in Stowell Street, Newcastle, where the blue plaque will be placed. He gave unwavering support to workers on strike by penning songs of their struggles and performing at benefits for the families.

Mrs van Keith (nee Wilson) travelled from Halifax in Nova Scotia.