Sunday Sun

Stars come out to celebrate Shearer's 40th

22 August 2010

STARS came out for a night of celebration to mark Toon record goalscorer Alan Shearer’s latest milestone.

The great and the good from the worlds of sport and celebrity turned up at the ex-Newcastle United ace’s home for his 40th birthday bash.

They turned up for the glittering event at the former England skipper’s plush Northumberland mansion in Darras Hall on the outskirts of Ponteland.

Famous faces from sport and showbiz attended the bash last weekend.

Shearer was joined by former Magpies teammates including Shay Given now keeping goal at mega-rich Manchester City, Gary Speed, new manager at Sheffield United, whose side today take on Middlesbrough, and Lee Clark, the Huddersfield Town boss.

Other sporting guests were ex-United defender Steve Watson, who previously lived in a house round the corner from Shearer, and Steve Harper, currently the Toon’s Number 1.

Ex-Toon manager Kevin Keegan also turned up to wish Shearer a happy birthday, along with Iain Dowie, who was Shearer’s assistant manager during their brief reign at the helm of the Magpies.

Ant McPartlin, one half of Geordie duo Ant and Dec, was also in attendance along with his make-up artist wife Lisa Armstrong.

And, as he declared live on Match of the Day last Saturday night, Shearer’s co-host Alan Hansen also made the trip to the North East from his home on Merseyside.

Guests spent the afternoon drinking champagne, with some, including former Wallsend Boys Club player Watson, leaving at around 7.30pm.

Others stayed until the early hours of the morning to celebrate with him.

The Sun

Alan's tune barmy

17 August 2010, Gordon Smart's Bizarre

ALAN SHEARER never struck me as a party animal but I hear he raised the roof at his 40th birthday bash.

The Newcastle footie legend took to the stage on Sunday, belting out KINGS OF LEON's Sex On Fire to the great amusement of his guests.

He had hired ROCKAOKE, a live karaoke band who promise to help party-goers "live the dream". I'd have thought 63 caps and 30 goals for England was living the dream enough.

Guests at his Newcastle home included ANT and DEC and ALAN HANSEN. Maybe Alan is less Newky Broon and more like a red wine - just getting better with age.