Freedom of South Tyneside: Highest honours for Little Mix icon, and Fish and Chip legend
Former Little Mix icon Jade - and the man behind Colmans Fish and Chips - have been awarded the Freedom of South Tyneside
Last updated 22nd Dec 2025
The former Little Mix star Jade has been awarded South Tyneside's highest honour, along with the man who owns Colman's Fish and Chips.
UPDATE: South Tyneside Council photos from the event have been added.
Local music icon Jade and the owner of one of the region’s best known restaurants have both been officially bestowed with South Tyneside Council’s highest honour.
The prestigious Freedom of South Tyneside was conferred to Jade Thirlwall – who rose to fame as part of Little Mix and has now embarked on a successful solo career – in a specially convened ceremony at South Shields Town Hall.
The event (on Wednesday, December 17) also saw the honour awarded to Richard Ord MBE, the owner of Colmans Fish and Chips and Colmans Sea Food Temple in South Shields.
He received the prize in recognition of his “exceptional entrepreneurship, philanthropy and services to the hospitality industry”.
Meanwhile Jade was granted the honour for her “outstanding contributions as a cultural ambassador and her ongoing commitment to South Tyneside”.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, council leader, said the local authority was “delighted to be bestowing its highest honour on such deserving recipients”.
She added: “Richard and Jade could not be more deserving of this fantastic and marvellous tribute, and are both superb ambassadors for South Tyneside.”
Speaking as part of a moving speech at the ceremony, South Shields-born Jade paid tribute to the area where she grew up, along with her family and friends, and thanked people in the borough for their support throughout her career.
She said: “I’m very, very honoured to receive this, this is truly one of the best things I could ever be given in my career and life.
“I’m from a place where pride is our passion, we get our kicks from supporting our own, whether it’s South Shields FC, or Joe McElderry, or Chris and Rosie Ramsey.
“I’m a proud sand dancer from South Tyneside and no matter how far I travel, no matter where I perform in the world, it doesn’t compare to where I come from.”
Her speech also saw her praise local establishments including The Customs House, Colmans Fish and Chips and Minchella & Co.
Jade’s music career began when she auditioned for The X Factor UK before rising to prominence as a member of girl group Little Mix.
After achieving worldwide success with the band, Jade released her debut solo single Angel of My Dreams in 2024 and took home the trophy for Best Pop Act at the 2025 Brit Awards.
Her first solo album That’s Showbiz Baby came out in September this year, after performing at Glastonbury in June, and she concluded her 2025 UK and Ireland Tour with a sold out show at NX Newcastle in October
Beyond her singing career, Jade champions South Shields Football Club, where she is the honorary president, and is a strong supporter of The Customs House where her talent was nurtured.
She also helps to raise money for great causes through her charity work, supporting the local Cancer Connections of which she is ambassador, homeless causes and Stonewall while advocating for equality and inclusivity.
At the same ceremony Richard Ord MBE, a prominent South Shields businessman and fourth-generation owner of Colmans Fish & Chips and Colmans Seafood Temple, was honoured for his lasting mark on the hospitality industry and his local community.
As part of his speech at the ceremony, he said he was “deeply honoured and humbled” to receive the Freedom of the Borough and paid tribute to his family and friends who have supported him, along with members of the Colmans team past and present.
He added: “Colmans is not just a family business by name, it’s a family in the truest sense, built by people who turn up everyday and work very, very hard and give their best.
“Most importantly I want to thank our loyal customers, you are the heart of Colmans, for generations you have trusted us, supported us and allowed us to be a small but proud part of your lives in South Shields and beyond.
“To be recognised in this way by the place I am really, really proud to call my home means more than what I can say, thank you from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you.”
He also paid tribute to Jade and said she was a “really worthy recipient of this award” and “a fantastic ambassador for the borough”.
Richard, from Whitburn, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2020 for his services to hospitality and regeneration in South Tyneside.
The ceremony heard how Colmans is “approaching its centenary” and Richard has been at the “heart of both the business and the prosperity of South Shields” for more than 50 years.
His businesses have supported local theatres, sports teams, and charities, including sponsorship of pantomimes at The Customs House.
Meanwhile he has also represented the region internationally, serving fish and chips at prestigious events such as the Queen’s Birthday celebrations in Guatemala and at the British Ambassador’s residence in Rome.
As an ambassador for the industry, he has trained hundreds of young friers and chefs, operating an open-door policy that has helped shape many careers.
The ceremony was held after councillors agreed to bestow the honour on the two individuals at an extraordinary council meeting held in October, and several councillors again spoke to pay tributes.
Labour’s Councillor Fay Cunningham said: “It really is a proud day for South Tyneside, for two of our very best residents.”
Green Group representative Councillor David Francis added: “I don’t know either of the recipients personally but it’s impossible to ignore the impact that they’ve both had on the town and wider than that.”