I went to Whitley Bay and all those places for the first time last year. Absolutely love it there. Went back when I was over in May. Would be surprised if Sandro doesn't like it there tbh. Maybe people from the area are.. used to it? I dunno.
When I've seen Tyneside Life interview people around Stadium of Light and stuff, they all seem pretty nice tbh. Think it's fair to say that internet != real life