'A lot of people think I'm related to Sting'

Sting is about to retire - well, not really.

Shields Ferry skipper Chris McGuinness, who bears a striking resemblance to the Wallsend singer, will depart his beloved job in June after 33 years.

Mr McGuinness, 63, said there was "no better job" and being likened to Sting had been "good fun".

"A lot of people think I'm related to him. Sometimes I go along with it, because I don't want to disappoint," he said.

Mr McGuinness, from South Shields, and Sting met in 2010 when the singer turned up at the Shields Ferry to show an American music producer the sights of the River Tyne.

The skipper said he thought it was a "wind up" when Sting hired the ferry.

"He was great. He said I looked like his brother, and I said ‘get away, I look like you, man’," Mr McGuinness said.

"It’s a great memory for me."

"He was pointing out Wallsend shipyards where his dad worked, where he lived," Mr McGuinness added.

"He was asking us questions about the job and we were asking him questions about his job. He was just a really likeable guy, a really, really nice guy."

Mr McGuinness has worked on the Shields Ferry since 1991. He said commuting on the service inspired him to work there.

"There's no better job, you can't get a better job than this," he said.

"I'm trying not to get emotional. I've loved the job, but it's not going to be the end, the door's still open.

"I will be coming back for the odd trainee shift, to help train the new recruits and I'll also be covering the odd shift here and there."

Shields Ferry customer service operations manager Kevin Leonard said: "Chris is a legend at the Shields Ferry and he’s going to be a big miss.

"His uncanny likeness to Sting has been the source of much merriment and fascination over the years. He takes it all in good humour, which is a measure of what a brilliant guy he is."

Mr McGuinness, who has done Sting lookalike work in the past, now plans to spend time with his wife touring the UK in their camper van.

And his favourite Sting song?

"I'm an outdoor guy, so Fields of Gold resonates with me."

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