TWO playwrights fear Geordie theatregoers will not see the funny side of a joke in their new play if Newcastle United are relegated.

In A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Durham, North-East writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood have William the Conqueror, following his success at the Battle of Hastings, establishing a French-speaking elite “like Alan Pardew”.

The gag, a reference to the influx of French players into the Newcastle squad, was written before the Magpies’ recent slump towards the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Now Mr Wood, a St James Park season ticket holder, said: “We don’t think Newcastle will be relegated but if they are, it might take the edge off the comedy for Toon Army fans.

“Obviously, Sunderland fans will laugh heartily,” he added.

The comedic play is part of the celebrations surrounding the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to Durham from July to September. For more information, visit lindisfarnegospels.com