Likewise, when Ford bid auf wiedersehen to their German Merkur brand or when Chrysler furled the sails on Plymouth, owners of these vehicles weren't suddenly cast adrift.

CNN: The fate of four GM brands

Children: (Singing) So long, farewell, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...

NPR: Producer Robert Wise Dies at 91

Children: (Singing) So long, farewell, au revoir, auf wiedersehen.

NPR: Producer Robert Wise Dies at 91

Auf Wiedersehen Pet, first screened on ITV in 1983, launched the careers of its cast, including Spall and co-star Jimmy Nail, who played a gang of Newcastle builders seeking work in Germany.

BBC: Pet wrangle denied by

As well as the aforementioned Sting, Knopfler and Ferry, the campaign has the support of Angel sculptor Antony Gormley, Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant, folk musician Kathryn Tickell, actors Alun Armstrong and Robson Green and Auf Wiedersehen Pet trio Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail and Kevin Whately.

BBC: Sting, Knopfler and Ferry condemn Newcastle arts cuts