Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Lurkers' Week: Have you ever met a famous person?

(120 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 12-Mar-20 09:26:26

By chance, by invitation - it matters not!
We just want to know who. And where. And what they were like grin grin

TashaGransnet bumped into Ian McKellen at a theatre production in Doncaster and said he was friendly and professional. SarahGransnet often bumps into Alison Steadman who she assumes lives local to her, and I once passed Nelson Mandela on the escalator. Does that count? grin

grannyactivist Thu 12-Mar-20 12:20:44

Omigosh - let's see.
Accompanying my daughter I have met the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth - separately. The Duke asked my daughter a rather rude question, to which she gave an equally spirited answer.

I have a wonderful photograph of my daughter meeting the beautiful, inside and out, Duchess of Kent in 1983. The Queen was kindly - and absolutely tiny.

Prince Michael of Kent once spilled his wine on a table I was sitting at and was completely helpless in knowing what to do - basically he stepped back and looked around the table and asked if anybody had "a bit of clorth" (cloth). He came across to me as someone who still needed a nanny - and then he married Princess Michael. grin

I hand delivered a letter to Roger Moore from a hotelier when I was about thirteen - I hadn't realised it was going to be 'that' Roger Moore until he opened the door, he was really lovely to this starstruck teen.

All the big footballers from Manchester United in the mid/late sixties. George Best was very sweet and gave me a birthday kiss on my cheek when I was thirteen, and Bobby Charlton was so rude he made me cry; partly because he had been a bit of an idol until that day when he shattered my illusion that he was a nice man. I was in my first job as an office junior in 1969 and he was absolutely horrid to me, my mental health was extremely poor at the time and our encounter left me feeling completely worthless - I literally didn't sleep for days afterwards.

I used to live near to Richard Madeley and he once came to the rescue when my daughter took a tumble from a bouncy castle. He was helpful, polite, interested and practical, whilst Judy looked on approvingly. Fast forward twenty odd years and I met him in the Green Room at ITV studios and he was just the same, he'd been doing a sleep-out to raise awareness of homelessness and although there were other famous people in the room (Hayley Westernra and Joe McElderry- both lovely) he chose to chat to me. smile

I guess no matter what we read or hear about someone our own experiences of that person inevitably override other's accounts.

red1 Thu 12-Mar-20 12:32:45

billy connolly, a lovely man,warm and welcoming

annodomini Thu 12-Mar-20 12:39:46

I met Princess Anne when she came to open the training restaurant in a college where I was a governor. Apart from that, it has been mainly politicians of my own party and I have a photo of me with Shirley Williams - a very engaging personality and superb speaker.

Haydnpat Thu 12-Mar-20 12:48:58

Hugh Grant bought my daughter a drink. She was at the university with a famous golf course nearby!

Gillyanne Thu 12-Mar-20 12:52:41

I met "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen when I was working , he was so lovely . Met Kirstie McCall before she was so tragically killed another really nice person.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Thu 12-Mar-20 13:23:44

My mum sat next to Ian McKellan at Wimbledon many moons ago and said he was very nice and asked her if she was enjoying the tennis.

Smileysue Thu 12-Mar-20 13:31:23

I was in the audience at Deal or no deal in Bristol. I was chosen to hand the special box to Noel Edmonds. He said I looked nice because I had a big smile on my face.

Kim19 Thu 12-Mar-20 13:41:16

Nicholas Parsons, Prince Philip and Mrs Thatcher for me that I can remember.

winifred01 Thu 12-Mar-20 13:44:28

During a long nursing career met Dirk Bogarde, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Roald Dahl.
Not forgetting Jimmy Savil!

Alishka Thu 12-Mar-20 14:02:12

In the 60s I was in the Anglo American Club just off the Via Veneto when Shirley Bassey, roaring drunk, started to smash the place up. Thoroughly and impressively!shockgrin

Mogsmaw Thu 12-Mar-20 14:06:09

I’ve had tea with Woopy Goldberg, does that count.
I invited her to come sit with me because she looked lost.

Baguette123 Thu 12-Mar-20 14:09:57

Met actress Rula Lenska in the ladies at Polish centre in London, she was friendly and down to earth. ‘Met ‘ the Queen mother when collecting my university degree; she smiled, l curtsied. Also, Nigel Farage, Robert Kilroy Silk, Leslie Grantham and also Herr Flik actor at Elstree Studios. My son ran off with Boy George’s hat ( returned it ), husband chauffeured Paul Michael Glaser and knew pop star Clive Driscoll and Bonnie Langford. There’s more but that’s enough for now ?

CarrieAnn Thu 12-Mar-20 14:20:59

Went to a party with Pat Phoenix,had my picture taken with Billy J.Kramer(later published in a book about Crewe).Eden Kane,The Hollies,and lots of other people in the entertainment industry.

Elizabeth1 Thu 12-Mar-20 14:27:43

Had a charity lunch with ian Rankin such a lovely man who appreciates all he has saying he’s fortunate to be able to fund speciality equipment for his son who has a disability.. luckily I was reading his books at the time and could chat about them I asked him the meaning of a phrase si was unsure about think I was playing with him the expression biscuit ersed came to mind I could visualise this while reading the book it was so very funny Ian said he pinched this expression from Trainspotting

Maggiemaybe Thu 12-Mar-20 14:51:25

Marc Bolan, who bought me a drink and chatted to me through the interval at a gig when I was 16.

The Leeds Utd football team, my DS’s heroes at the time, at Manchester Airport. I took lots of photos of DS with them using a camera that I’d forgotten to put a film in. blush

The Scottish lady from Kim and Aggie - we’d both arrived at the top of the escalator heading for Yo Sushi at Leeds Harvey Nicks to find it closed. We all went to another Japanese restaurant I recommended instead.

Hulk Hogan, who tried his best (in vain) to persuade my star struck DC to join him when he was filming a series on Clearwater Beach.

They were all lovely.

Tammie12 Thu 12-Mar-20 14:54:55

When I was a lot lot younger I worked for the BBC over the Easter weekend, in a hospitality role for their country festival. Maybe not known by many, unless like country music, but I met Marty Robbins, Don Williams, Porter Wagner and I’m sure known by many Dolly Parton. I can honestly say every one of them was very open and friendly, but Don Williams had to be my favourite

Alishka Thu 12-Mar-20 15:11:57

@annodomini - so far,meeting and talking with Shirley Williams is the only experience I'm truly envious of[envy

jeapurs54 Thu 12-Mar-20 15:19:54

I have been fortunate enough to meet a few people when my uncle used to be in showbusiness. I met Rolf Harris in a lift. I also met Noel Edmonds and visited David Essex at his mums home (knees went to jelly) I am a big fan of his. There have also been quite a few more but won't bore you all.

May7 Thu 12-Mar-20 15:25:46

I once tripped up and literally fell at the feet of Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford who were out walking one early Sunday morning in The Mall. He looked particularly startled, she stared straight ahead and I just got up, brushed myself down and carried on my way totally mortified I was in my early 30s and loved him in an officer and a gentleman DH and Dcs laughed all day

Flowerpower22 Thu 12-Mar-20 15:26:08

I met Ken Hom in a spa once - we were both in fluffy white robes. He was very nice!

Kaggi60 Thu 12-Mar-20 15:41:16

I was working at a new shop opening and Roy Castle came in to open day he went down the aisle with a trumpet playing a tune and dancing..

harrison53 Thu 12-Mar-20 16:23:10

I met Princess Anne when she opened the new Art and Design building at Runshaw College where I worked. She loved the animal paintings that were on display there, especially the horse ones!

joannapiano Thu 12-Mar-20 16:29:23

I curtsied to the Queen Mother when she opened a new wing at my school.
Met George Michael, a lovely man in a smart suit.
Served Mick Jagger in a record shop.

Forestflame Thu 12-Mar-20 16:31:05

Graham Cole (PC Tony Stamp in The Bill). Dan's, the singer, and John Ketley the weatherman. All very nice

Pittcity Thu 12-Mar-20 16:52:47

I've changed a £20 note for John Altman (Nick Cotton/EastEnders).