John Darwin is taking over as compere at Write Out Loud Sale from Rod Tame, who said farewell at the Waterside arts centre on Tuesday night after three years in charge of the open mic night. John said: “I am looking forward to taking over as host of the Sale Write Out Loud monthly event from January. In my time I have known two great hosts, Rod Tame and Steve O'Connor,” adding that they would be “hard acts to follow”. Rod Tame said: “It has been an honour to have hosted [Sale] and I am certain that John Darwin (the Matt Smith to my David Tennant) will be a grand host. A massive thankyou to all who have guested in the last three years and to all who have supported the night. I doff my hat to you all.” 

Background: Take a bow, Rod 

PHOTOGRAPH: JOY FRANCE