A STAR-STUDDED celebration will raise money for Sir Bobby Robson’s cancer charity on what would have been his 80th birthday.

Former Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler, singer Joe McElderry, comedian Paul Whitehouse and England manager Roy Hodgson will be part of the glittering line-up at The Sage Gateshead on Monday, February 18.

The event will include live performances of Sir Bobby’s Desert Island Discs and the screening of interviews recorded shortly before his death from cancer in July 2009.

Proceeds will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Alan Shearer Foundation, which is part of St Cuthbert’s Care, a charity for severely disabled adults and children.

The event was originally planned in 2009 with Sir Bobby, who loved live music, but was postponed when he died.

Hosted by Sir Bobby’s friend the TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, the night will also include Northumberland folk band The Unthanks, comedian Simon Day and the Northern Sinfonia. Other names will be added to the line-up.

Alan Shearer, a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, is backing the event but cannot attend himself.

“It’ll be a great event and really it was Sir Bobby’s brainchild,” he said.

X Factor and Popstar To Operastar winner Joe McElderry, of South Shields, said: “I’m thrilled and very proud to be supporting Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration.

“It says everything about Sir Bobby, and what his name stands for, that this event has attracted so many high-profile names from music, football and comedy already. And they tell me there are even more names still to come.

“It’s raising money for two wonderful charities and I know it’s going to be a very memorable night.”

Ray Laidlaw, of Geordie pop legends Lindisfarne, is one of the show producers and was involved in filming Sir Bobby’s final interviews.

He said: “It was a great privilege to be involved in planning this event with Sir Bobby back in 2009. He was so keen to make it happen and now, thanks to wonderful support from Alan and Lady Elsie, that vision is going to become a reality at last.”

Tickets for Sir Bobby Robson – A Celebration cost £45, £60 and £75. For booking and information, call 0191-443-4661 or visit thesagegateshead.org