Sunderland care home recreates Peter Kay's Amarillo music video in hopes of hitting TV screens

Key workers at Elizabeth Fleming Care Home in Hetton have been raising spirits with their uplifting version of the video – set to Tony Christie’s (Is This the Way to) Amarillo.

Earlier this week the comedian invited the public to recreate the famous music video ahead of the BBC’s Big Night In on Thursday, April 23.

As part of the variety show, in aid of Comic Relief and Children in Need, Kay will be calling on key workers, such as doctors, nurses, carers and retail employees to march beside him using videos they have recorded specially.

A post on his official Facebook page said: “All in aid of the BBC’s Big Night In, Peter wants you stomping along to the original track to show your support for the night of fundraising.”

“To be in with a chance of making it into his final video, we’re looking for people to film themselves marching and dancing to the original track.”

In response, staff at Elizabeth Fleming rose to the challenge and filmed themselves doing the renowned dance in the care home corridors - while wearing their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Senior care, Callum Anderson, who organised the video, said: “I saw that Peter Kay was asking key workers to recreate the Amarillo video and I knew that the staff would be up for it.

“It took us a few attempts to record it, because everyone kept laughing and all the residents were in hysterics.

“We won’t know until the show which videos have been selected, but fingers crossed we get chosen, it would really cheer everyone up.”

RELATED CONTENT: 19 photos of the North East's health heroes – as nominated by you

The 26-year-old added: “It already has lifted spirits, everyone was having such a laugh and all the residents loved it.

“It’s a stressful time for everyone but we just make sure that we keep spirits up and have a good time like we always do.

“That’s our main goal, as well as keeping everyone safe.”

Click here for live coronavirus updates

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.