Lionel Duke collapsed on stage during the band’s set at On The Waterfront
11:43, 25 Jun 2025Updated 11:43, 25 Jun 2025
Lionel Duke in hospital with Garry Christian and the band’s manager Emma Roberts
Sting has sent a message to The Christians drummer who suffered a cardia arrest on stage while performing at On The Waterfront on Sunday. The Christians were playing at the festival on Sunday, June 22, evening when the band’s drummer, Lionel Duke, collapsed on stage.
Lead singer, Garry Christian, was seen shouting to medics for help before they rushed to the drummer’s aid as thousands watched on in the crowd. A black privacy screen was erected while medics performed CPR, with the band, visibly upset, leaving the stage.
Lionel was rushed to hospital by ambulance, with the band confirming he was in intensive care on Monday.
Yesterday, the band confirmed Lionel was awake while receiving treatment in the Heart and Chest Hospital at Broadgreen.
Now, the manager of the band and partner of Garry, Emma Roberts, has told the ECHO how Sting sent a message directly to the drummer saying: “Welcome back.”
Emma also told the ECHO how Sting had been monitoring Lionel’s condition closely through his manager and is now working with The Christians to potentially organising an event in the future.
Thousands of fans have since been in touch with the band to send their well wishes to Lionel following the upsetting scenes on stage during the performance.
As thousands stood on the Pier Head, upset by the moving scenes on stage, Emma appeared on stage shortly after the incident to tell the crowd the drummer had suffered a cardiac arrest while performing.
She said: “We were so looking forward to tonight it was going to be the big gig of the year and our lovely drummer has had a cardiac arrest.
“They’ve done four rounds of CPR on him. We’re really hoping he is going to make it. 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.”
The Christians were the final act to perform on the last night of the four-day live music event before headliner Sting made his appearance. As Sting took to the stage at 9.30pm, he said Lionel was recovering in hospital as fans cheered the update.
He said: “The drummer in the band before is OK. He’s in hospital. All of us are praying he’s going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him.”
Fans expressed their support for Mr Duke as they wrote in the comments of the update on the band’s Facebook. Rob Close said: “Get well soon, look after yourself lad, wont be long before your back smashing the pots and pans again.”
Barb Jones wrote: “Get well soon Lionel. Don’t be rushing to get back on them drums….take it easy.”
Anita Jones commented: “Such brilliant news- hope Lionel continues to recover well x.”