Chris Cross conjures up the cash

Newcastle magician and comic Chris Cross has raised over £1200 for Brain Tumour Research in honour of Paul Daniels.

Cross held a sold-out charity gala on Newcastle’s Quayside on Thursday which raised £1,235 for the organisation.

Daniels, from Middlesborough, passed away in March, having been diagnosed with a brain tumour only a month before.

The gala, which took place at Cross’s Quayside Cabaret Club at PRIMA Pizza Pasta, raised the cash with a combination of a sit-down meal, live performances, raffles and a silent auction.

Teeside’s John Archer, The Great Aziz and fire-eater Charlie Burns all made appearances, alongside video messages from Daniels’ wife Debbie McGee and their nephew.

Cross said of the gala: “The North-East really prevailed and it’s great that this charity tribute was well attended, well received and it’s even better that we were able to raise £1,235.00 for such a worthy charity.

“It was a classic example of us Geordies coming together and making the world a happier place!

“I’m so pleased with how it all went and it meant a lot that I got to do something for Paul after he’s done so much for other people – he helped me when I was starting out and still continues to be a massive inspiration to me as a showman.”

McGee said: “I was so moved when Chris told me he was staging a tribute to Paul. We had such a wonderful time when we were performing at the Cabaret Club last time… Thank you Chris Cross and thank you Newcastle!”