Latest news with #OnTheWaterfrontLiverpool
ITV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Drummer of Sting support act The Christians suffers 'cardiac arrest' onstage in Liverpool
A Liverpool band was forced to abruptly end their set after its drummer had a suspected cardiac arrest on stage. The Christians were playing at Liverpool's On The Waterfront event on Sunday 22 June, when drummer Lionel Duke suddenly collapsed. In a statement posted on social media following the incident, the band said: "Thank you so much for all the many many messages regarding our drummer Lionel Duke who suffered a cardiac arrest while performing at tonight's amazing concert ahead of Sting."We are awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green and thank the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel. "Please send positive vibes his way." The band were performing ahead of Sting for the packed event at the Pier Head. The band's lead singer Garry Christian shouted for medics and a black screen was put up. The band's manager Emma Bridget appeared on stage shortly after to update the thousands in the crowd. She said: "We were so looking forward to tonight it was going to be the big gig of the year and our lovely drummer has had a cardiac arrest.'They've done four rounds of CPR on him. We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much.'I'm just so sorry because Garry loves Liverpool and he wanted to put on the show of his life and we're really devastated but thank you so much.' Fans of the Liverpool-based band expressed their support. Mike Landsborough said: "I was at the gig in the front seen it all unfold. What swift action by his band and first aid responders and the event staff for making it dignified by shielding Lionel with a makeshift curtain whilst they performed the CPR. Our thoughts are with Lionel his family and his band family."The Christians were the final act to perform last night before headliner Sting made his appearance. As Sting took to the stage at 9.30pm, he said Mr Duke was recovering in hospital as fans cheered the said: 'The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him."
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sting's heartwrenching tribute to drummer who collapsed live on stage
Sting shared a touching tribute to The Christians drummer Lionel Duke, who suffered a cardiac arrest while on stage in Liverpool over the weekend Sting shared a moving tribute to The Christians' Lionel Duke following his cardiac arrest on stage. The drummer who was supporting the legendary musician in Liverpool left fans concerned after he appeared to collapse before going into arrest at the iconic Pier Head on Sunday. Lead singer of the band, Garry, requested urgent assistance from the medical teams before a privacy screen was set up on stage. It was during this time that medics worked rapidly to perform CPR on Lionel, whose heart had stopped beating. Lionel was subsequently rushed to the hospital via ambulance after the emergency staff managed to resuscitate him. But while many wondered whether the show would continue, Sting, 73, later took to the stage and reassured fans who had packed the waterfront that Lionel was doing ok and was receiving treatment. One fan who was in attendance said: "We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'Fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts." A second penned: "We were at the Waterfront - Sting was updating us all in the crowd and wished Lionel well and encouraged us all to think for him and sang Fragile as the final song for the evening." While on stage, the Grammy Award-winning musician said: "The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him." As the sad incident unfolded, event organisers kept fans updated throughout with messages being displayed on huge screens. One read: "We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can." Shortly after, a spokesperson for the band, who is believed to be their manager, shared an update with fans – explaining that Lionel had suffered a cardiac arrest. She said: "We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse; he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much." The band also encouraged Sting to perform. Earlier today, the band issued a statement on social media on Lionel's condition, explaining they are still awaiting news. They said: "Thank you so much to all the many many messages regarding our drummer Lionel Duke who suffered a cardiac arrest while performing at tonight's amazing concert ahead of Sting. We are awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green and thank the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel." Fans of the group rushed to offer their support, with one praising the medical team for their swift response. They said: "Was at the gig in the front seen it all unfold what swift action by his band and first aid responders and the event staff for making it dignified by shielding Lionel with a make shift curtain whilst they performed the c.p.r I know he is in good hands at Broadgreen." A second went on to write: "It was terrifying to see poor Lionel slump forward. I was so proud of the respect the Liverpool crowd showed falling silent, no photos and many people turned around. We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts. Wishing him a speedy recovery. He is in good hands at Broadgreen." Another typed: "It was very worrying when Lionel slumped forwards onto his drums. Seeing the black screens go up. They were working on him on the stage for a while. I'm so pleased he is doing OK. It was frightening to see. Best wishes to Lionel." "It was so awful to witness! Sending love and positive energy for a speedy recovery for Lionel. And sending love to Garry and the rest of the band too who must have been incredibly shaken," added a fourth.
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Christians issue update after drummer suffered cardiac arrest on stage
The Christians have shared an update after Lionel Duke suffered a cardiac arrest on stage. Drummer Lionel and the band were supporting Sting at Liverpool's Pier Head on Sunday when he suddenly collapsed mid-performance. Lead singer, Gary Christian, requested immediate medical attention, with crews setting up a privacy screen on the stage. Lionel was later rushed to the hospital via ambulance after being checked over by the emergency services. Now, the band have shared an update on social media. In a statement, they said: "Thank you so much to all the many many messages regarding our drummer Lionel Duke who suffered a cardiac arrest while performing at tonight's amazing concert ahead of Sting "We are awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green and thank the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel." Fans rushed to the comment section, with one praising the medical team for their swift response. They said: "Was at the gig in the front seen it all unfold what swift action by his band and first aid responders and the event staff for making it dignified by shielding Lionel with a make shift curtain whilst they performed the c.p.r I know he is in good hands at Broadgreen." A second added: "It was terrifying to see poor Lionel slump forward. I was so proud of the respect the Liverpool crowd showed falling silent, no photos and many people turned around. We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts. Wishing him a speedy recovery. He is in good hands at Broadgreen." "We were at the Waterfront - Sting was updating us all in the crowd and wished Lionel well and encouraged us all to think for him and sang Fragile as the final song for the evening - Wishing Lionel a speedy recovery," said another. Meanwhile, a fourth fan typed: "It was heartbreaking to see. Wishing Lionel a speedy recovery and sending lots of love and wishes to Lionel's family and bandmates." As the incident unfolded, event staff displayed a message on the huge screens to update fans. They said: "We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can." Moments later, a spokesperson who is believed to be The Christians' manager addressed the sold-out crowd. She confirmed that Lionel had suffered a cardiac arrest but was managed to be brought back around. She said: "We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much." Despite worries, the band are believed to have encouraged Sting to continue with his performance. When he took to the stage, the Grammy Award-winning musician reflected on the heartbreaking incident. He said: "The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him."
