From sports stars to TV personalities and musicians to local heroes, the Black Cats have a number of famous fans – including some surprising and international names.
Over the years, we have seen many celebrities come out and publicly announce their support of the Wearside club.
Here, we take a look at the famous faces who support Sunderland:
Here, we take a look at the famous faces who support Sunderland:
![Best known for working on a number of West End musicals with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rice may have been born in Warwickshire - but he counts Sunderland as his football team.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmE5OTM2NTRmLTRmZjAtNGFiMC1hOWEzLTcxNThiMjYzMWU4Mzo1YjYzY2E0YS1mNjFiLTQ0NTYtODIzMC05ZDE2Njg3NzVkZGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
21. Sir Tim Rice
Best known for working on a number of West End musicals with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rice may have been born in Warwickshire - but he counts Sunderland as his football team.Photo: Daniel Berehulak
![A real hometown hero, Jeffries even signed his first professional boxing contract at the Stadium of Light - having won a medal at the 2008 Olympics.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmYzNjI4ZTI4LTNmMWMtNGRiZi1iMmY4LTIzMzQxYjZhNGMyMzpjNjdmZWViMi0zZGZhLTQ0MmQtYTUyNC1kYzY2ODliZGY5Mjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
22. Tony Jeffries
A real hometown hero, Jeffries even signed his first professional boxing contract at the Stadium of Light - having won a medal at the 2008 Olympics.Photo: Matthew Lewis
![The former Rio 2016 Olympic boxer is a big Sunderland fan.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjMyYmFhYjQ4LTM1Y2EtNGI1Yi04NGYwLWY4ZTA2M2RhZjc3Mzo4OTdmZTA5MS1hYjY4LTRiOGEtYTA1OC01ODA0OWM3OGYyNTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
23. Josh Kelly
The former Rio 2016 Olympic boxer is a big Sunderland fan.Photo: Christopher Lee
![Raised in Sunderland, the former BBC chief correspondent grew up following the Black Cats - and remains a supporter to this day.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjliYmM5NDcyLWNhMWItNGFhZC04MGRmLTczZDJiODAyZGRmYTo2NjVlYjAyZS0wYzQzLTRlOWQtYjdhNS1kY2Y2NzIxYzgzNGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
24. Kate Adie
Raised in Sunderland, the former BBC chief correspondent grew up following the Black Cats - and remains a supporter to this day.Photo: KIRSTY O'CONNOR