Bold headline-worthy moment: Matty Healy’s high-profile girlfriend steals the spotlight at Sunday for Sammy in Newcastle, adding an extra spark to the event. And here’s where it gets controversial: not everyone knew she was in the crowd, yet she clearly stole the backstage show with a flurry of snapshots and social posts.
Matty Healy, the frontman of The 1975 and son of Sunday for Sammy stalwarts Tim Healy and Denise Welch, headlined the 2026 comeback edition of the beloved charity event. He appeared at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle near the end of a nearly four-hour lineup that also featured his father teaming up with brother Louis and fellow Auf Wiedersehen, Pet alum Christopher Fairbank in a playful sketch about the Tyne Bridge restoration.
The emotional highlight came after a heartfelt tribute to Geoff Wonfor, a longtime driving force behind Sunday for Sammy, who passed away in late 2022. Matty kicked off his set with a soulful rendition of James Taylor’s Carolina in My Mind, then surprised the crowd with a cover of The Las’ There She Goes. He followed with The 1975 favorites It’s Not Living If It’s Not With You and About You, backed by band members John Waugh and Jamie Squire.
A major surprise moment occurred when Lewis Capaldi joined the stage to perform Someone You Loved, sending the arena into a frenzy. Gabbriette Bechtel, Matty’s girlfriend and a well-known model and actress who recently appeared in a reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer and in Charli XCX’s viral 360 video, was spotted nearby, sharing backstage glimpses and dancing in dressing rooms on her Instagram and TikTok feeds.
Gabbriette’s presence was not the only family connection on show. Denise Healy, Matty’s mother, was in attendance and joined the Run for Home finale, following a supportive shout-out from Angela Lonsdale earlier in the afternoon.
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Related topics: Sunday for Sammy, Tim Healy, Newcastle Arena
