Tributes have poured in for a "legend" of Newcastle's pubs and clubs after he died this week.
Andy Wilson had been a well-known face amongst the Toon's bars, particularly in The Bigg Market, for decades and was widely loved and respected. Described as the 'loveliest of lads", a "true Toon legend" and "always having a smile on his face", Andy was a hit with generations of revellers, pub staff and DJs.
Andy suffered a fall last week and sadly died in hospital two days later surrounded by his family.
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The 60-year-old, who was known by his nickname 'FM', was born in Byker and was the eldest of four children, three boys and girl. The family moved to Scotswood in 1968 when he was young and he spent most of his life there. His sister, Lesley Craven, said Andy always had an ability to make everyone laugh.
Lesley continued: "He was such a character and such a clown - he was always just full of life. He was very kind. He made everyone laugh. I have a memory from when I was about seven. We were play fighting and I cut a tennis ball in half and placed the two halves over his eyes. The suction from them gave him two black eyes."
Since the announcement of his death on January 5, there has been an outpouring of tributes on social media, particularly Facebook page 'The Bigg Market/Quayside 1985/2000'. A GoFundMe has also been set up to help with funeral costs and
Lesley added: "I knew Andrew was well-known in the town but I didn't know how well-known or how popular he was. It has been comforting reading all the tributes and memories on Facebook."
A long-time friend and one of the administrators of The Bigg Market/Quayside 1985/2000 page, Chris the Disc, said he first got to know Andy from their time working the Grainger Market but recalls one night he was a DJ at then Yel bar in the early 1990s and Andy walked in. Chris said: "He was quite famous for his dancing.
"I got him up on stage and he was dancing and all the girls were going crazy. So, I got a Woodpecker promotional t-shirt, turned it inside out and put the words 'FM', like Superman, on the front and that was how he became christened as FM. You always knew the night would get better when he came into the pub.
"Everyone loved him and took him to heart. He lived life to the full, always had a smile on his face, always had a laugh. You came away from his company feeling better than when you started talking to him. He was everyone's friend and the ladies loved him.
"He had been coming to the Toon longer than the Metro but he was also my good friend and he will be sorely missed."
On the The Bigg Market/Quayside 1985/2000 page, Andy Metcalf wrote: "Andy was the loveliest of lads. I managed the Pig and Whistle but from my barman days he was a legend. He would do anything for anyone, always polite and with a smile on his face."
Caroline Brown wrote: "I’ve got tears streaming here, it’s overwhelming how nice people are - such a shame he’s had to leave us but he would have been over the moon with all the support and happy memories. Bless him. I can just see him doing the worm in the Rose and Crown and singing 'New York, New York' so out of tune but everyone joining in anyway - what a character."
To read more tributes and memories about Andy, go to The Bigg Market/Quayside 1985/2000 page. To donate to the GoFundMe Page, visit gofund.me/28f02f25
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