Sting performs on cruise ship (watch the video)

Legendary musician Sting performed songs from his latest album The Last Ship and his new Broadway musical of the same name in New York on board Cunard's flagship, Queen Mary 2 in a one-off performance last week.

Set in his hometown of Wallsend on Tyneside in the North East of England, The Last Ship draws on Sting's memories of growing up next to the Swan Hunter shipyard. Over the years, 15 of Cunard's ships were built at the yard, including the four-funnelled Mauretania, once the biggest ship in the world.

"I was born and raised in Wallsend in the shadow of the Swan Hunter shipyard," Sting said. "My earliest memories are of ships being built and launched into the river. You couldn't escape Swan Hunter – there was a coal mine at one end of town and Swan Hunter at the other, so these ships loomed over our houses."

LilySarahGrace Presents Color Outside The Lines on October 25, 2014 in New York City.

He added: "Everyone around me worked in the Swan Hunter shipyard. My grandfather worked in the shipyard. All his brothers worked in the shipyard. My family has had things to do with the sea for many years."

Angus Struthers at Cunard said: "We are absolutely delighted to have welcomed Sting on board Queen Mary 2, where the audience enjoyed songs from his brand new Broadway musical The Last Ship as well as tracks such as An Englishman in New York and Message in a Bottle.