Cheryl's estranged brother Andrew Tweedy is seen 'begging for money and living in a tent outside a supermarket'

By REBECCA DAVISON, DEPUTY HEAD OF SHOWBIZ Published: 11:27, 7 April 2026 | Updated: 12:18, 7 April 2026 Cheryl Cole's estranged brother has been pictured living in a tent behind a branch of Morrisons and drinking outside the supermarket. Andrew Tweedy was seen sitting next to the entrance to the shop in Jarrow, South Tyneside, from the early morning, drinking cans of cider. The 45-year-old, who recently appeared at court on a drunk and disorderly charge, said: 'I have been in rehab three times but I'm not going back. 'I am one of those people that take one step forward and ten steps back. Every time.' He has erected a tent behind the supermarket where he lives – he was first discovered to be homeless in 2021.  Popstar Cheryl, who grew up with her brother in Byker, Newcastle, has made several attempts to help him, on one occasion paying £20,000 for him to go to rehab. But last month he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly outside the same branch of Morrisons on February 25. PICTURED: Cheryl's estranged brother Andrew Tweedy was been seen 'begging for money and living in a tent outside a Morrisons supermarket in Tyneside' on Monday The 45-year-old, who recently appeared at court on a drunk and disorderly charge, said: 'I have been in rehab three times but I'm not going back. I am one of those people that take one step forward and ten steps back. Every time' Police were called because he was shouting and swearing at customers, and when they arrived he told them to, 'F*** off', adding, 'What are you going to do?' The court heard it was his 44th conviction for 115 offences including armed robbery, for which he was jailed for six years. He told magistrates he wanted to get help and that he was back living in the family home in Heaton, Newcastle. He said: 'I'm trying to fix my life and fix my problems. It's a process but it's all just starting.' Tweedy was handed a six-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £113. But just weeks later he was spotted living in a tent and drinking £1.29 cans of 8.5 per cent Colliers Cider. Tweedy said he didn't want to talk when approached for comment, but he added: 'I have slept outside Morrisons for a long time.' Speaking to The Sun in 2021, Cheryl's embattled brother said the singer probably had no idea that he was homeless. Andrew said: 'This is what I’m f***ing living like. I’ve been begging here for more than three months and it’s something that has really broken my heart. 'I’ve got so much f***ing pride. With the family I’ve got, I shouldn’t be here. It’s horrible. Popstar Cheryl, who grew up with her brother in Byker, Newcastle, has made several attempts to help him, on one occasion paying £20,000 for him to go to rehab, (pictured in October) Andrew has erected a tent behind the supermarket where he lives – he was first discovered to be homeless in 2021 Andrew took part in his first robbery aged 13 and in 2005 he was sentenced for four years over the brutal mugging of a teenager, a crime which he jumped bail for and spent five weeks on the run 'None of them have contacted me. Even though Cheryl’s not helping me, she’s still my family. She probably won’t even know I’m on the streets, I don’t blame her at all. This is the lowest I’ve ever been.' According to the newspaper, a tearful Andrew was discovered sleeping alongside bottles of urine and empty cans of beer in his makeshift home in northern England. He also shared the tent with a homeless friend.  Andrew – who has a son – revealed he was forced to live on the streets when his relationship broke down earlier that year.  He took part in his first robbery aged 13 and in 2005 he was sentenced for four years over the brutal mugging of a teenager, a crime which he jumped bail for and spent five weeks on the run.  In 1996, he was placed in a Young Offender Institution for the stabbing of two students in a street fight. He served three years before getting out on parole. He was jailed once more in 2011 for six years, for his involvement in an armed robbery at a Post Office.  A local officer reportedly said they do not have any 'real right' to move Andrew from the plot where his tent was erected, as the land was owned by the council. He was said to be awaiting temporary accommodation. The former labourer became hooked on glue at a young age, after growing up on a heroin-ravaged estate in Newcastle. Girls Aloud star Cheryl has never publicly mentioned her heartache regarding Andrew, but he has acknowledged her unquestionable support on multiple occasions. Speaking from his jail cell in 2008, he told the Sunday Mirror: 'Cheryl wants to help me – but I'm too far gone. I know I'm breaking her heart, but I'm not strong enough to sort myself out.'  A local officer reportedly said they do not have any 'real right' to move Andrew from the plot where his tent was erected, as the land was owned by the council. He was said to be awaiting temporary accommodation The former labourer became hooked on glue at a young age, after growing up on a heroin-ravaged estate in Newcastle Last month he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly outside the same branch of Morrisons on February 25 'It tears me up to think I'm causing my little sister so much pain. I've told Cheryl she should be ashamed of me, but she says she loves me and she'll never give up on me.'  She was said to have been 'crippled by worry' about her older brother and was spotted making covert jail visits as he served time for a violent robbery.  'She came on her own,' said Andrew. 'She looked so sad and so tired, totally different to how she looks on TV or singing on stage... It broke my heart to see her so cut up.' According to reports at the time, Cheryl held her brother's hand during a prison visit and begged him to let her and former husband Ashley Cole pay for his rehab. But the Newcastle native rejected the offer. He acknowledged that she was behind him 'every step of the way' but refused the help because he was scared of letting her down. While brutally honest about his own failings, he said in 2008 that he hoped one day to be able to get his life back on track and repay Cheryl for all of her kindness.  The comments below have not been moderated. 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