Clare

I've only met a few people, which is probably a good thing as I do tend to suffer from the loss of brain function and coherent speach when in the presence of someone I've admired for years.

I remember meeting June Whitfield, and having a door held open for me my Bill Nighy, but the fondest memory is of meeting Sir John Mills. I was in hospital with him whilst he was having his cataracts removed. I was in a tiny side ward directly opposite his room, so got to see the family too as they visitted. A more charming man you could never hope to meet. He was just an ordinary bloke really. I'll never forget the image of him walking up and down the coradoors, wearing his rather snazzy pair of PJ's, giving everyone a wink and a grin!

Freddy

Clare,
Lovely story about an obviously lovely man.

There was a Stanley Baxter sketch. Set in wartime Britain Stanley is portraying a naval officer picnicing with his fiance( think Celia Johnson) on cliffs overlooking the channel.

fiance: do you think we will win the war darling?

Stanley(in clipped English accent): Yes we will darling. Because we have something the Germans haven't got.

PAUSE

We have John Mills

Freddy

The world wags on.

Gibbie

Here, here!

clap

smudge

Met a fair few folks over the years - mainly at conventions and fan thingys, some due to working in the theatre when I was a sprog.

A couple stick in the mind - meeting Christopher Lee at Pinewood and having the nerve to ask him for a pic as he was coming offstage from his interview.

Walking down Kensington Gore and seeing John Barry being photographed alongside a poster for his first concert if the UK for 21 years. A quick chat then off he sped.

Then that same evening, chatting to Michael Caine who was sitting behind us at said gig (and because of whom we were getting trampled on in the crush for his sig.) That was a good day all round...

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Gibbie

Barry would be fascinating to meet. One of the best composers for film of our time.

Did Michael Caine sign his name ...Harry Palmer? :)

David Brent

A mate once gave me Billy Connolly's address & i had the good fortune to bump into Billy while i was sorting through his garbage bin.
I shall always remember the personal words he spoke with wisdom -
"Who the f*** are you..f****** b******..I'll f****** do you , you f****** a*******, get the f*** out of the f****** way you f****** ****.
I dont want to f****** sign your f****** photo.
Stick it in your ******* ******** **** and **** ****** ******* *********** yourself."
Well at least i think it was Billy Connolly.
He'd put on a lot of weight,was clean shaven and spoke with a Welsh accent.
He was well out of order though, I only wanted his autograph.

Dave.

Bob M.

I spoke with the great Spike Milligan on Herne Hill station a few years ago.Gave me a ball point pen with his old army unit on it.

"How about dat, a? How about dat?

daisymum

What great stories! I love reading about close encounters with the rich & (in)famous. I haven't met any actors, although I've talked to several musicians. My thing is that I never know what to say to them; I mean, what is there to say when the person you're talking to has heard it all before? But still I guess it never hurts to hear how wonderful you are, even if it is for the nine thousandth time.

But as for English celebrities, I talked to John Inman on the phone once. He was in Atlanta for a pledge drive to support Public Television & if you gave so much money, he would come on the telephone & thank you personally. I guess that's what he did because I have absolutely no recollection of what he said, only that he was very nice about it.

Let's see...I kissed Elvis Costello once when I asked for his autograph after a show. He kissed my right back. It was nice.

I found out not too long ago that Paul McCartney & Wings apparently rehearsed for an upcoming American tour at the studio right across the street from where I went to Kindergarten, likely during the time I was in Kindergarten. This was back in 1976, so could that have been the Wings Across America tour? I heard the story from a reliable source so I'm inclined to believe it; even if it isn't true, it still makes for a great story anyway.

The same person was also very close to Steve Marriott in his later years. She said he was the nicest, kindest, most generous soul who never forgot a kindness EVER, no matter who you were....provided he was sober. Which made it all the sadder when he died.

I guess the only other English notable I've ever run into was when I quite literally ran into John Major the last time I was in London. He was very nice about it & even gave me his autograph for my trouble. :) His special agent/secret service guy/bodyguard/whatever was less than pleased about it, but hey, that's show business...

daisymum

Btw, an irreverent, but totally hilarious variation on this thread can be found here, if you're so inclined.

MrDrakesDuck

My favourite singer, bar none. thumbs_u

He actually has a notable Britmovie connection, appearing as Eric Sykes son in 'Heavens Above!', exchanging a few lines with Peter Sellers. wink

"I thought I had to shoot Germans, not chew 'em"

David Brent

Right on Duckie,

Steve Marriott was a rock icon.
I remember my mates and i having our hair styled like Steve in the great Small Faces days.
Believe he was just about to form a super group with Peter Frampton just before he died.
It would have been great to have met him.
Sadly missed.

Dave.

MrDrakesDuck

They actually recorded some tracks, a couple were released on Frampton's 'Shine On' 2cd anthology a year after he died.

"I thought I had to shoot Germans, not chew 'em"

Gibbie

Old Mods , ain't ya?

smudge

LOL No, but he did remember signing my wife's copy of THE ITALIAN JOB months before...

Top bloke, with an incredibly beautiful wife and daughter ! wink

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Gibbie

Glad you had a nice visit with Sir Maurice and family.