Sting’s support act ‘didn’t have a pulse’ after collapsing on stage
Danni Scott
Sting’s tour support suffered a cardiac arrest on stage (Picture: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Global Champions Arabians Tour Miami Beach)
Audiences were horrified at Sting’s Liverpool gig as a member of his support act, The Christians, collapsed on stage.
The drummer, identified as Lionel Duke, suddenly collapsed at Sting’s On The Waterfront gig on Sunday, prompting urgent cries for help from the frontman, Garry Christian.
A privacy screen was put around him before he was rushed off stage, checked over by onsite medical staff and taken to hospital.
A woman, thought to be the band’s manager, Emma Bridget, came to address the shocked crowd as he received emergency medical attention.
‘We’re really hoping he is going to make it,’ she said. ‘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.’
On The Waterfront has been stopped after a performer had a "cardiac arrest" on stage. The Christians were performing live at Liverpool Pier Head when the performer appeared to collapse on stage, with it being confirmed to fans in a statement read out that he had appeared to have suffered a cardiac arrest. Witnesses told the ECHO how the lead singer of the band, Garry Christian, shouted for medics to come onto the stage while they were performing before a privacy screen was erected in front of the crowd.
The gig was halted as he ‘didn’t have a pulse’ (Picture: Liverpool Echo)
The Christians' drummer Lionel Duke lionel duke
Lionel Duke had a heart attack while on stage (Picture: instagram/ lionel duke)
The Christians did not issue any further statement that evening but screens projected a message promising to provide an update as soon as possible.
Hailing from Liverpool, the band have the highest-selling debut album of any artist at Island Records, spawning chart hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The name comes from the original brothers — Garry Christian, Roger Christian, Russell Christian — and guitarist Henry Priestman (whose middle name is also Christian).
In 1987, Roger stepped away to focus on his own solo music as he had no desire to tour.
Sting did take to the stage after the horror calmed down and gave a small update on Lionel’s condition.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Oscar Corral/EPA/Shutterstock (8110271b) British Band 'The Christians' Perform at the Festival of Light in Boimorto in Galicia Spain 14 September 2013 Spain Boimorto Spain Music - Sep 2013
The Christians had hits in the 80s and 90s (Picture: Oscar Corral/EPA/Shutterstock)
The Police icon told gig-goers that he was ‘okay’ and ‘in hospital’ and added: ‘All of us are praying he’s going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him.’
Lionel is still in hospital but the band issued an update on their social media, thanking everyone for their concern.
They wrote: ‘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.’
On The Waterfront has been stopped after a performer had a "cardiac arrest" on stage. The Christians were performing live at Liverpool Pier Head when the performer appeared to collapse on stage, with it being confirmed to fans in a statement read out that he had appeared to have suffered a cardiac arrest. Witnesses told the ECHO how the lead singer of the band, Garry Christian, shouted for medics to come onto the stage while they were performing before a privacy screen was erected in front of the crowd.
On The Waterfront was stopped while medics attended Lionel
(Picture: Liverpool Echo)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 29: Sting performs onstage during the Cherrytree Music Company's 20th Anniversary Concert, net proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, at The Belasco on May 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)
Sting gave a small update while he performed his set (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)
Sting is currently in his mammoth run of festivals, having just performed at Isle of Wight Festival and with Glasgow’s Summer Sessions on the horizon.
He is playing six festivals across the summer as well as his own tour later in the year.
The Sting 3.0 World Tour will head to London in October with two new shows that promise to give a much deeper cut performance, digging into ‘rarities’ in his extensive discography.
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