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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Today's nosey question

OK, carrying on in nosey mode. What famous people have you met or (even better) do you know? And what were they like (without being too libellous!). Thought of this as I am just reading (guilty pleasures!) Jilly Cooper's latest book. I met her once and she was gorgeous - totally unpretentious and great fun.. On a more embarrassing note, I once saw Princess Diana and knew i recognised her and came within a whisker of trotting over and saying hello, haven't we met somewhere?! Ouch.

posted by Exmoorjane @ 10:19 AM  

74 Comments:

  • At May 17, 2007 10:52 AM , Blogger WesterWitch/Headmistress said...

    I used to work in Television Land in London - so met quite a lot of famous people. Kenny Everett was hysterical and took ages to get studio shoot done because we were all in stitches. June Whitfield was probably one of the most genuine people I met.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 10:55 AM , Blogger countrymousie said...

    I have met the entire Royal family, but only seen the Queen. Only through him indoors - they open his constructions and buildings -
    now that makes me sound like a right stuck up cow!!
    He has even worked for a couple of them!!!
    I have a pic of The Princess Royal and me somewhere - I am slowing sinking into the un-set tarmac as I curtsy!! I must try to find it. I was told not to wear high heels because the car park had only just been laid but would I listen.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:03 AM , Blogger UN PEU LOUFOQUE said...

    I am far to discreet to say, but I will just mention that as a baby I was once bathed by Princess Alice of Athlone... strange but absolutley true! And of course Un Peu knows the King of Spain frightfully well!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:07 AM , Blogger countrymousie said...

    Oh my God - Princess Alice opened a building here which his nibs did - there is a plaque, and now Prince Edward has taken over her role as Royal Visitor to the School - bathed by royalty - I dont think we can top that - unless someone has slipped between the sheets with one - would they tell I wonder!! Hell this could get seriously amusing.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:13 AM , Blogger Suffolkmum said...

    Hmm - not quite royalty but Kevin Keegan did buy me a drink once in a pub - and was really nice! R has met lots because of his work in TV/theatre - he always says Anthony Hopkins was by far the nicest in theatre. He also had to do a Shirley Bassey tour once - he was dreading it, not really his type of thing, but said she was unbelievably nice, kind and down to earth - lovely to all her crew and not a drop of 'Diva' in her.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:15 AM , Blogger Suffolkmum said...

    Forgot to say, also met Jeremy Irons once - was NOT impressed. He'll probably turn out to be soemone's best friend or something now.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:36 AM , Blogger Tattie Weasle said...

    BIG excitment is the fact that there is film being shot down in Wales next door to our family seaside plot all about a terrible incident with Major Killick (a family friend) and a very naughty poet called Dylan Thomas and their wives. Who knows I might get to meet super stars but I bet they won't talk to me...ah well!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:36 AM , Blogger KittyB said...

    Alan Shearer used to live near Mum and Dad at the height of his football fame, all the little boys (including my nephew aged 6) used to ring the intercom on his gates and ask 'Is Alan coming out to play?' he was only young then and sometimes used to have a kick around with the boys. Aah. Kevin Keegan (he's also a customer of ours at work, nice guy) lived there too - it was a gated 'village' development with big monstrous houses with ballrooms etc on tiny weeny plots. I hasten to add Ma&Pa lived in a 'cottage' off the twee village green.

    Have met many famous rugby players and cricketers when I worked in corporate hospitality while a student (dolly bird in a sash jobs). Not a nice bunch. Actively unpleasant most of them. Especially Bill Beaumont and Mike Gatting. Ugh.

    Also famous customers in our shop - William and Fffffion Hague, an ex-Miss GB, Ian Botham. Alf Wight, the real James Herriot was a good friend of my husband's grandfather.

    Giles Deacon, fashion designer, is my friend's brother.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:55 AM , Blogger jackofall said...

    Met and spent time with an internationally famous lap-dancer (in my professional capacity, not hers, I hasten to add!) who is accessible through many online Adult sites; can't mention her name for legal reasons.

    Fully clothed and with her minder in tow she was utterly charming and unpretentious.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:59 AM , Blogger Suffolkmum said...

    Aah, Alan Shearer - he's a God (all my family are big Newcastle supporters).

     

  • At May 17, 2007 12:07 PM , Blogger toady said...

    Countrymousie such showing off is not attractive. Anyway beat this. Joss Ackland has weed in my toilet. When we were selling our house before we went to France Joss Ackland came to view our house with his daughter who was looking to buy. Obviously got caught short as he asked to avail himself of the facilities before he went. She didn't buy the house though. Also the late writer Daniel Farson came through my checkout when I was working in Safeways. He'd bought loads of drink and party food so I invited myself to the party [ such lighthearted banter]. I was invited but didn't go. Toady

     

  • At May 17, 2007 12:53 PM , Blogger countrymousie said...

    Ill stop showing off now, but now I have my boob job, I may attract some attention. We have lots of film lovies here in Sufolk now, so have come across (but not in the literal sense several of them in my property days. They used to helicopter in to view houses and such!! I did dance rather closely once with Robert Hardy - in his younger, and mine, days!!Does that count!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 1:07 PM , Blogger annakarenin said...

    Some of you might remember mine. The Mr Kipling man - James Hayter ( also Friar Tuch of black and White version). His daughter married my mother's cousin so we went all to the wedding in London very exciting. Apparently there were a couple of actors there but I was too young to recognise them or really appreciate it.

    Also will never forgive my friend for not taking me along to two back stage parties one Go West the other Black (a group I did like) because she assumed I was busy with exams and dissertations pah! Good grief will she never learn to prioritise especially as I was old enough to appreciate those.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 1:29 PM , Blogger Faith said...

    I live and have always lived near where lots of famous people live so have met some including Cliff Richard and Tom Jones. Always disappointed by celebs. They are always smaller than you expect and have bad skin!

    My eldest daughter was a model for years and met tons of celebs. Can't remember bloke's name now - that one that was with Abbie Titmus or whatever her name is - tall guy - she said he forced her to sit on his knee and was very sleazy. She wasnt surprised about allegations against him. She was next to Joanna Lumley in makeup once and she was a lovely person.

    Youngest daughter also done a few things that involved the media. We met Sian Lloyd once - nice, but again, bad skin!

    Hub3 has met Princess Royal through work a couple of times. Very pleasant (good skin!) Only royal i've ever seen in the flesh was Queen Mum.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 1:42 PM , Blogger Zoë said...

    Lived across the road from Nigel Spackman when growing up, he is god parent to a couple of one of my sister's 5 hoolies. Met Geoff Hamilton, when he awarded my Tom a Junior Petunia finalist certificate at the NEC. He was lovely :) My brother has been famous(imfamous?), but you will all groan if I tell you the song he wrote that he is most remembered for lol. Although, it might be right up mousies street, as its pink related! And my baby girl is having lunch with Gok Wan today. Met and been taught by a few well known garden designers too , but I dont if they class as famous, as they are not so mainstream. Andrew Wilson was fab, Jill Billington is wonderful too, John Brookes, I got my money refunded lol nuff said:ox

     

  • At May 17, 2007 1:49 PM , Blogger countrymousie said...

    Why do they all have such dreadful skin - is it the slap they wear - perhaps I ought to cut back on the lippie - the Princess Royal is tiny and made me feel like an amazon. She is about a size 6/8 I guess and very pretty in real life I have to say.
    Eldest son's girlfriend as we speak is at the Cannes Film Festival with all the celebs.!!I will avail you with tales if I have any. Lloyd George actually knew my grandfather - he he he!!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 1:57 PM , Blogger sally's chateau said...

    Well I'm married to His Lordship and if I so much as breathed a hint of who I know, well, I would be shot !

     

  • At May 17, 2007 2:07 PM , Blogger ska said...

    Oh goodie, something to take my mind off real life!

    While a student I used to work in Knightsbridge and thus served Joanna Lumley, June Whitfield, Joan Armatrading and others I can't remember the names of now. I nearly had an exmororjane moment with Hugh Grant in Upper Street once. We were walking towards each other and I knew I knew him and as I went to college round the corner I decided I did. Thank god his mobile went off and I heard his voice!

    I have been kissed by the lead guitarist of a famous band (well in the 90s they were) when at a backstage party (my first and my last). My husband regularly meets the Princess Royal.

    Used to be friends with a politicians' son and had some strange moments at No 11 on sunday mornings......

     

  • At May 17, 2007 2:15 PM , Blogger annakarenin said...

    Don't know what age group you are Zoe but the only pink song that comes to mind is Lily the Pink?

     

  • At May 17, 2007 2:27 PM , Blogger Pondside said...

    Not much opportunity to meet the rich and famous here - they only come here to shoot and fish, so get whisked off to remote fly-in locations. On the other hand when the Great Dane was in the Air Force we met the Princess Royal - had a lovely cup of tea and long conversation with her, wherin she revealed the following - that the shoulder straps of her handbags are sewn to the shoulders of her clothes so that they don't slip, and that she regularly wears very light long underwear beneath her suits at parades etc. Well, I was also wearing long underwear beneath my very chich suit, so we had a chuckle. That's the extent of my brush with the famous!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 2:34 PM , Blogger lixtroll said...

    I used to live in Hampstead and worked in printers there - met EVERYONE dwaling!!!! Did all their cv's and private stationary and did donkeywork for Pink Floyd album covers and a few books. Just a few faves: Nicholas Parsons - a real gent! Derek Jacobi, also charming gent, Jeremy Irons lovely (sorry Suffolkmum!), Tom Conte VERY attractive in real life, Dennis Quilley lovely bloke, Simon Ward. Some celebrity women who shall remain nameless were colossal pains in the bum! In fact none of the females we met were nice except Esther Rantzen and Anne Robinson.

    Sorry, appalling name-dropping but you did ask!!!

    PS Hubby Peat lived with Sid Viscious!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 2:35 PM , Blogger Frances said...

    Well, living in New York means that it is possible to see many people whose faces are familiar, though years ago they seemed to walk long the sidewalks more. Now, perhaps it is more limosine riding.
    When I was still in college in Virginia, I met Georgia O'Keeffe, and she kindly praised the painting projects I was working on.
    We see many celebrities in the shop, and for now I won't even mention them.
    A week before he was killed, I encountered John Lennon as he got out of a limo, carrying a big bag of groceries right across the path where he would be shot. He wore the silver coat that was in the videos for that last album.
    Many years ago, when we were both much cuter, on a lunch break I met Paul McCartney and want the record to show that he wanted to hold My Hand. I did not make the first move. We talked quite a while about Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly and Carl Perkins, until finally I had to return to my job at the Met.
    Just another lunch hour on a sunny day in New York.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 2:50 PM , Blogger Suffolkmum said...

    No no no Lixtroll, he was a sleazebag!! But I had a brief punk phase as a teenager, can't believe your husband used to live with Sid Viscous!!

    Faith, you must mean John Leslie?

     

  • At May 17, 2007 3:07 PM , Blogger SueInAlmondbury said...

    Met the Specials in the early 80's when (whilst being chased by much bigger and scarier teenagers) my friend and I stubbled into the back of the Lanchester Polytechnic (Now Cov Uni I think) and straight into the video set of 'Rat Race'. They were cool, we were numb with stupidty, we watched the filming and collected their autographs after, and squeeled on the bus all the way home.No one remotely famous since then :( !!!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 3:08 PM , Blogger toady said...

    This here Princess Royal seems to put herself about a bit.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 3:12 PM , Blogger Exmoorjane said...

    Oh My God - this is fabulous!!! Now, how funny, I met Tom Conti (was interviewing him) and he was a nightmare - really rather arrogant and unpleasant. Chris Tarrant ditto. My sister was asked out by Mick Jagger in Sutton - before the Rolling Stones were famous! She turned him down and is still regretting it. Joe Jackson (remember him? weedy and deeply unnattractive- oh heck, probably someone's cousin) once asked to come home with me (I declined). And Ian Gillan of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath kept asking me to go to places with him. First time it was a week in Antigua; next up a weekend in Amsterdam and I think his last offer was an overnighter in Blackpool. I declined that too! Class acts eh?

     

  • At May 17, 2007 3:22 PM , Blogger Suffolkmum said...

    R used to work with Chris Tarrant!! Got to quite like him inthe end, said he's actually very shy (and clearly going through a bit of a mid-life crisis!)

     

  • At May 17, 2007 3:28 PM , Blogger Wizzard said...

    I appeared on the Russell Harty program in the canal basin in Stratford-upon-Avon. A few years earlier I helped kidnap Don McLean (of crackerjack fame). I also went to a party of my ex-boyfriend's uncles and met Rolf Harris (the uncle was in his band). I have also met Westerwitch and Lixtroll (the latter only briefly).

     

  • At May 17, 2007 3:45 PM , Blogger The Country Craft Angel said...

    Crikey you lot. Just smiling at Kevin Keegan buying Suffolkmum a drink-I bet he did!! You are so gorgeous-would have put some of those footballers wives to shame!

    I once got bought a drink and was invited back to a hotel room by 2 members of the Australian Rugby Team!!-2 very famous ones who I didn't even realise until friend told me later-SO glad I was always a 'good girl' and of course refused their kind offer!!

    Freddie Star used to be a good friend of my Uncles and my cousins godfather. I grew up with him and his mad antics-they have lost touch now, I think. He really was as stupid as he acts.

    warm wishes
    x

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:04 PM , Blogger ChrisH said...

    Zoe - please ask your daughter when she sees Gok,to put in a plea to rescue me; a project ripe for renovation although not too keen on parading in her scanties before 2000 people . I hope he's as sweet as he seems on his programme. I met Joanne Trollope in the Ladies at an RNA do - she is absolutely gorgeous, much prettier than her photos suggest and very warm and friendly. Katie Fforde is a realy sweetie, A S Byatt friendly but fiercely intellectual. Can think of one of two musicians I would like to meet so hoping Stepson 2 will oblige and have met a couple of music biz names though had to be told who they were! Oh I went on a course with Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals) who kept taking his shoes off and showing off his grey socks.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:11 PM , Blogger LittleBrownDog said...

    Oooh, I love this kind of conversation! Well, I sat next to Gordon Ramsay once - at breakfast (and I'm afraid he totally ignored me, in favour of sounding off about his good self.) I was going out with a friend of his at the time, and have subsequently discovered that my ex-boyfriend's subsequent girlfriend (still following this?) ended up being Mrs Gordon R. So I feel I have a sort of six-degrees-of-separation link with GR.
    Also, I went to a party once where I'd heard Derek Nimmo was going to be - and was so disappointed to discover Derek wasn't Mr Spock from Star Trek as I'd originally hoped.
    And last, but not least - Nigel Planer has been to my house! (Not sure whether he peed in my loo, though, Toady.)
    Oooh, and nearly forgot - I almost sold a belt to Nerys Hughes when I was working in Jigsaw as a student, however we didn't stock one large enough (embarrassingly!).

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:15 PM , Blogger Blossomcottage said...

    I have met the Princess Royal twice,I have a very nice photograph of her with the "current husband" with her hanging in the hall, mad friend Marilyn once shouted at her to put her b***** riding hat on before she realised it was not one of her MGA children.
    Blossom

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:35 PM , Blogger countrymousie said...

    Well my flabber is ghasted - is there anyone who isnt known to us then or has tried it on!! By god we must write that collective book now - I worked for a while for the now deputy speaker of the House, Commons, that is!! so spoke to lots of MPs etc does that count!
    Probably not.
    Lily the Pink - that was Scaffold wasnt it!.
    Hubbies now secretary was some sort of groupie with Hermans Hermits I believe!! Still sees Peter Noon !!! Real OK stuff this, NOT. I kissed David Essex once, but then so has half of England I believe!!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:36 PM , Blogger LittleBrownDog said...

    Ooh, guess what - I've just turned the radio on and my very first ever boyfriend is on! (No one will have heard of him, though - obscure R4 science presenter.)

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:47 PM , Blogger countrymousie said...

    I have forgotten the most famous - never mind the Royals, Tom Cruise bought us a burger - well he bought everyone in Burger King a burger - his mum lives near where we stay in US and when he pops by to visit he usually makes a grand gesture wherever he eats - I cant imagine he ate this rubbish as he travels with a chef - I guess he was feeding the entourage! He was utterly fab looking but very very very tiny!!! He was with Nichole in those days.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 4:47 PM , Blogger bodran... said...

    Ahhh sue the specials! i went to a concert on colwyn bay pier,and pretended to faint so i'd get pulled on stage! then taken to the dressing room and given a glass of water..They where all very nice...
    we also met peter postlethwaite ??.i remember him best as obahdiah in sharpes eagles, and Dragon heart! And nell piped up wasn't he in Braveheart?? he wasnt but we all laughed! and suzy off coronation street bought something of me at a bootsale so did Rula lenska, though i never admitted to recognising them and said things like "are you alright misses do ya want a carrier bag"..

     

  • At May 17, 2007 5:25 PM , Blogger mountainear said...

    Hmm. Diana Rigg opened the Fair at my brothers' school in about 1967. Saw her in the distance. She looked just like she did on the telly. ie. small.

    And the Gallagher brothers used to drink (and probably fight) in the pub opposite our house. That young hobbit chap went in there too. 3 good reasons to go to the bar further along the road. which we did.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 6:19 PM , Blogger Tattie Weasle said...

    Well....have met a few and even shared a tent with one getting very up close and personal - Brian Blessed aged 63 and me blowing on his beard as it had got frozen to his clothes and if he had taken them off he would have seriously hurt himself! A truly lovely man who sang "Your tiny hand is frozen" while sitting yards fron the Magnetic North Pole in 1999!
    Could bore to death re various explorers...so I shall - Ran Fiennes - so ambarrassing wanted to say somehting to him but literally got tounge tied - he is a GOD! Dr Mike Stoud, Pen Haddow, David Hempleman Adams, Rune Glednes....not to mention Catherine Hartley - one of the first British Women to make it to both Poles!
    OH and about the Princess Royal! I'll leave that for another day - but when I met her she was vary glamorous, very in love and very kind to a small stroppy seven year old at a party....

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:05 PM , Blogger lixtroll said...

    Oh and I forgot to say - Frances the Weatherman came to visit us in out house in London! Also hubby Peat's cousin is Lindsey de Paul!!!! Oh my, what more can we find hiding under the rugs . . .

    By the way - CONGRATULATIONS on the number of comments you have achieved in this post! It has not escaped my notice that it seems to have broken all known comments records!!!!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:09 PM , Blogger @themill said...

    Stayed in the same hotel as the 1977 Aussie ashes team, quite by chance. Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Craig Sargeant, Kerry O'Keefe et al. They were, to a man, the most charming, courteous people I have ever met and not a suggestion or hint of impropriety.
    One of my friends still keeps in touch with Jeff Thomson and his family.
    Suffolmum, sorry, I'm a Newcastle fan too, but, according to a friend who does a lot of work with him, Alan Shearer is an a***hole. All smiles and bon homie when the cameras roll and totally foul mouthed and obnoxious when they stop.
    Great question, Jane!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:11 PM , Blogger lixtroll said...

    Oh we HAVE to get this to over 40 comments!!! OK I used to drink in the pub with Ronald Fraser, he was a great pal and simply a luvvee of the best type.

    And - I once sat at the next table in a Pizza place to Stephen Fry, whom my freind interviewed on TV - oh all right it's getting tenuous now but wow 40+ comments!!!!!!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:21 PM , Blogger Zoë said...

    This post has been removed by the author.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:21 PM , Blogger Zoë said...

    Anna, my age group wouldnt help ... baby bro is 13 years younger than me anyway! It was that Barbie Song(shame faced). 'Im a Barbie Girl, in a Barbie world ... '. Chrish, I think Gok is doing another series, have a look at the Channel 4 website, I believe they are looking for new victims for it, it could be your opportunity! Apart from a very giggly phone call around 3pm, I doubt she will tell me much til late tonight, as she was headed off with friends to Portsmonth to watch the Klaxons.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:50 PM , Blogger peat said...

    alright, you've got me at it now. . .
    as lixtroll mentioned I stayed with Spiky John Beverley aka Sid Vicious for the summer of 1976, the year the pistols made their mark on the punk scene though Sid hadn't yet made an appearance as a pistol. My cousin Sue's sister-in-law was Lyndsey de-Paul; I wrote to her once and she sent me a signed publicity photo by return - I was thrilled. I used to hang out with Amanda Donohoe when she was a chubby little teenager; I remember her passing out when The Who, supported by Little Feat were playing at Charlton Athletic fc , not cos she was overawed or anything, just a bit crushed at the front. Oh yes, I sat next to Rod Stewart and Britt Ekland in some swanky club in the west-end in the 70's. Yup, then there was Matthew Fisher, keyboard player with Procol Harum and Jimmy Dewar who I had been introduced to in the late 70's when we were trying to get a recording deal . . . oh yes, Peet Coombes from the Tourists (Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart's band) who was brained out of his stone at the time.
    It's just a list, really but, of all of them, Sid had to be the most interesting character and stories of his exploits probably not ideal for sensitive souls!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 7:54 PM , Blogger ska said...

    this is excellent - what a thread! remembered that when I worked in the Cabinet office a couple of years ago and often saw MPs around. Been in meetings with VERY famous people!! Sat next to John Prescott in the works canteen (actually very posh ) the week before the revelations. Nobody felt quite the same about sitting on his sofa for a while afterwards apparently...Gave a lift to Dennis Skinner once years ago.
    my friend lived opposite Maureen Lipman and another opposite someone from the Bonzo Dog Doodah Band. And I used to get my haircut as a young child in the kitchen and by the wife of Titch (I think) from Dave Dee, Beaky Titch and someone or other. But none of my best friends are famous.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:01 PM , Blogger sally's chateau said...

    Jane, about that PR weekend at Le Chateau !

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:05 PM , Blogger Milla said...

    This will be one of the ghastly ones, but not down to ME ME ME, but merely because of the places I used to work - advertising and BBC, can't help but trip over celebs, (does this count??) so here goes with the highlights and lowlifes:
    Michael Caine (vile and greedy and talked about money ALL the time)
    Anthony Hopkins (sp?) gorgeous and humble and apparently remembers everyone he's ever met. Whooppeee!
    Christopher Reeve, gorgeous and gentlemanly
    Richard E Grant, lovely and interested and sat on the floor with me and chatted (about what? no idea)
    Elizabeth Hurley, (same ad campaign) ghastly and orange faced
    John Peel, fun
    Andy Kershaw, ditto
    Maureen Lipman, grand and nasty
    Anne Robinson, even worse
    Richard Eyre, gentle
    Didn't meet, but chatted on phone to Denis Healey who answers the phone thus: "Eyebrows!" all jaunty.
    Michael Gambon, smaller than you'd think (as you're all saying, aren't they all)
    David Nicholls, (writer of cold feet series 3 and 2 novels) brother's best man and wonderful and funny and dear
    Geoff Hamilton, lovely
    Bob Flowerdew, suspect politics
    Ken Livingstone, self-serving
    Susan Hill (writer), horrifying
    er, that's enough, ed.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:12 PM , Blogger PreseliMags said...

    In my days as a reporter I only really met politicians - William Hague and John Redwood among others. The Queen and Prince Philip waved at me as they were leaving Solva after a Royal visit. Prince Charles successfully ignored me on another visit. I once spoke to a Beverly sister on the phone, but only to take a message for a colleague. I knew Connie Fisher before she was famous, regularly writing about her singing and stage exploits. She even came on work experience to the newsroom. Oh, and I spoke to a fledgling actor who had just been talking to Tom Hanks! Not sure if that counts, but I'm such a fan of TH it was quite a thrill! And like Milla, above, I too have met Bob Flowerdew.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:18 PM , Blogger patsy said...

    Deafened by the noise of all these names being dropped but here's my bit too!
    My Auntie Kathy used to go out with Sean Connery...when he was still a milkman in Edinburgh!
    And when I was little, my parents were friendly with Jackie Stewart, the racing driver, when they all lived in Glasgow. Visiting his home in Dumbrek,I remember the shotgun displayed above his fireplace as I believe he was also a British/World champion clay pigeon shot. His beautiful wife Helen came to my 6th birthday party!
    Also I have treated pets belonging to a few of the luvvies around Kew and, at our house in France,a very famous designer called me about his dog that had been poisoned (it was OK). But I couldn't possibly reveal more...!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:38 PM , Blogger jackofall said...

    I was only saying the other night at dinner with Dawn and Lenny that it's surprising the number of people one can name when one puts one's mind to it.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:39 PM , Blogger Suffolkmum said...

    Nooooo, @themill, I'm devastated, not Alan Shearer, I'm broken-hearted now. Milla - yes, R said the same thing about Antony Hopkins.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 8:51 PM , Blogger Zoë said...

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  • At May 17, 2007 8:52 PM , Blogger Zoë said...

    hmmmm, most obscure tenuious connection? Reg Presley of Troggs fame x wife was our Tupperware lady!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 9:36 PM , Blogger Exmoorjane said...

    Wow, this is hilarious! I can't believe that, between us, we have rubbed shoulders with so many of the great, good and - well, not so great..... But, of course, the one comment I now really REALLY want to read is the one that has been deleted.....can anything BE more irritating?! Night, night all!jx

     

  • At May 17, 2007 9:39 PM , Blogger Exmoorjane said...

    PS Tattie - Ranulph Fiennes lives outside Exford - Adrian interviewed him once and said he was a fine chap, if a tad eccentric..... James and I waved flags for the TV cameras with the village school when he came back from some expedition.....

     

  • At May 17, 2007 9:50 PM , Blogger Withy Brook said...

    Having had a great deal to do with the Conservatives in the past, I have met quite a lot of known names. Most politicians are more concerned with themselves than those around, many of them were not very pleasant. Sha'n't itemise apart from John Major who was charming, but Norma was even more so. (Couldn't believe what he got up to with Egwina.) There were many more but I I'll just mention one or two: Geoffrey Archer several times (quite horrid), Redwood, William Haig, David Cameron and lots of Cabinet members at the time. Edward McMillan Scott was on tele this evening - cor he's aged!
    James Herriot (White)was vet to a great friend of ours. Didn't meet him, but our friend's son was the boy he took round with him on his rounds in one story. The small animal vet in another story was our vet. I reckon I bought at least one wheel of his Bently for the work he did for us. One day, I had tea with a friend, while waiting to discuss something with her husband. There was a very nice man there, quiet and unassuming, who went off to put the kettle on. I was introduced, but being me didn't recognise the name. Later I realised that it was Seigfried (Robert Hardy) who was staying while filming one of the Vet films.
    When I was young and going to hunt balls, I knew Kate Worsley, now the Duchess of Kent. I remember a Hunt Ball where the Duke of Kent was present and so was she, but they weren't allowed to speak to each other, poor things.
    I once gave a lift to Harold MacMillan's son, between one speaking engagement and another. The latest is the Duchess of Northumberland. I don't know her but have spoken to her several times.
    Oh and there is a General, a Rear Admiral (my first cousin) and an Air Vice Marshal.! Will that do?

     

  • At May 17, 2007 10:39 PM , Blogger @themill said...

    Such a relief you didn't tell us Geoffrey Archer was anything other than horrid Withy!

     

  • At May 17, 2007 10:44 PM , Blogger ChrisH said...

    Ps I was at a conference with Tony Blair and David Blunkett - cannot claim to have met them. But on another occasion Mo Mowland spilled my orange juice over me! (not, I think, on purpose!) - that was back in my public service days.

     

  • At May 17, 2007 11:46 PM , Blogger Frances said...

    Wow, Jane, next time, perhaps you will ask what Names have we seen in underwear, or less.
    This purple bunch surely does connect.
    xo

     

  • At May 18, 2007 12:18 AM , Blogger CAMILLA said...

    Gosh, the list is endless, and Lixtroll, could have seen you in Hampstead, London, it is where I used to walk the dog.
    Camilla.x

     

  • At May 18, 2007 12:20 AM , Blogger Humpty said...

    I have been to Jools Hollands house on a photo shoot and was introduced to the great man. Shook his hand he did not know me from Adam though.

    I made a chair for Maddona but never met her poss future blog.


    And the best has to be meeting George Melly who said that I was a "peacock". Also a poss future blog - I aquired one of his loud suits which comes out for the odd drink or three:-)

    Ooh nearly forgot - Met Peter Blake the artist in a club and had a lovely chat and drink - superb.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 1:37 AM , Blogger Zoë said...

    I think we should try and aim for 100! so I am going to add another, who until I noted explorers above hadn't even occured to me as a candidate. A good and dear neighbour was the youngest member of the 1st successful attempt on Everest in 1953. I have to say , I have never thought of George as famous, although I am very in awe of his achievements, not only Everest, but an incredibly successful business life too. He gave my Tom a part time job for a couple of years until he went of to uni, Tom is a puter whiz(also profoundly dyslexic), and George now retired was writing a book for the Alpine Club and not very puter literate, so Tom taught him the basics and a bit more. I think one of the nicest things I have seen written from one person to another, was on a book, George gave Tom on his 18th, a first edition of his most recent book, the inscription read 'Tom, Happy Birthday, and many thanks for your help with the tutorials in computing, much harder than climbing Everest! George Band' It touched my heart, but I am also grateful to this kind and gentle giant of a man, for the encouragement and faith he placed in my son :)Zoë

     

  • At May 18, 2007 9:33 AM , Blogger @themill said...

    Okay, going for the 100. Two of my boys were at the same school as Charlie from Busted and Harry from McFly.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 10:02 AM , Blogger WesterWitch/Headmistress said...

    Yes lets go for the hundred. I met Matthew Kelly very tall, Noel Edmunds - very small, Barbara Woodhouse - very scary. I used to get Xmas cards from Chris Tarrant. I was part of the team working with Dave Mills when he did his three attempts to walk to the North Pole. I met Boy George - I said hello and he talked for an hour!!! I worked with Sky TV back in the 80's when it first went on air - I did their first ever Broadcast for them - so worked with all the presenters, directors, producers - blah blah blah

     

  • At May 18, 2007 10:07 AM , Blogger Tattie Weasle said...

    OK for the 100....
    I am part of a very peculiar group of people who shoot bows and arrows called The Forest of Arden only blokes are members and we the girls are lassies. It is strictly relatives only in that we are all descended from the five founding familes. The club is 300+ years - famous members include Robert Hardy (known as Tim) and Jeremy Brett(now sadly deceased..) Both delightful and witty.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 10:11 AM , Blogger Faith said...

    Hey this is really good - cant believe the number of comments! So lets keep on adding!

    My eldest daughter wore Ginger Spice's union jack dress when all her stuff was sold off at auction. She was one of the models showing the clothes and the only one who could fit the dress it was so tiny! and she met Geri too of course.

    Jackofall said about Dawn and Lenny - now my sister is secretary at the school where they sent their adopted daughter Billie. And still on same theme, I stood next to Dawn at a country fair where we were watching an exhibition of people with birds of prey. She was very small, very fat and had sandals on her grubby little feet!

    And top this one, just remembered it, my dear father (RIP) was taken to see Anna Pavlova dance when he was a child!

     

  • At May 18, 2007 10:21 AM , Blogger Tattie Weasle said...

    I really ought to stop this...LLoyd George and his wife Margaret were good friends with my great great grandparents and I have pictures of them both (signed of course) in my downstairs loo! On a similar theme I actually bought a purple coloured loo which so the papers that went with it tell me was used by Queen Mary! I awiat a plumber and enough money to fit it at home so we can all grace it!! Does that count?????

    PS Jane you ACTUALLY know where he lives, be still my beating heart...yes he is a tad eccentric but would any sane person try to walk across the antartic unsupported? Or in fact do any of the things he tries/and does do?

     

  • At May 18, 2007 11:12 AM , Blogger lixtroll said...

    OK let's go for the Big 100 folks!! I knew Russ Kane, Capital Radio's Flying Eye qiute well in my London days. He was a really lovely and caring bloke who dod a lot to help me and support me in my work then.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 11:14 AM , Blogger lixtroll said...

    Is this cheating to do it in separate posts? I've just remembered though - Vivienne Westwood owns a one of my pottrey pieces and she loves it! It is a plate with a big naked lady sprawled accross it!

     

  • At May 18, 2007 11:31 AM , Blogger WesterWitch/Headmistress said...

    Oh, oh and I have been on two chat shows - one was talking about homeopathic remedies and I can't remember what the other one was. And I was also in the finalists for reading the weather on the This Morning Map in the dock.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 12:27 PM , Blogger WesterWitch/Headmistress said...

    And why does Naughty Westerwitch have earlplugs from Nasty Nick of Eastenders. Given to her when they were both staying in the Hilton in Birmingham this past March . . . . hmmmmmmmmm

     

  • At May 18, 2007 12:39 PM , Blogger peat said...

    ok, really dragging it out now . . . Adam Faith sang at my cousin Maddy's wedding in nineteen-sixty something though I can't remember a whole lot about it; mmmmmmh . . . yup, Uncle Max's second wife, Lady Jane Vane Rayne-Stewart was a bridesmaid at Queen Elizabeth's wedding and ummmmh . . . oh yes, little cousin M... was in rehab at The Priory and was (allegedly) given cocaine by the topically infamous Pete Docherty.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 12:43 PM , Blogger peat said...

    Oh yes, Lixtroll forgot to mention that Stella McCartney owns another piece of pottery wot we made. I think it was a christmas present from our mate Marina who does a lot of charity work with her.

     

  • At May 18, 2007 10:57 PM , Blogger @themill said...

    Forgot to mention, had very famous B&B guest last year, but won't tell you who he was as he was obviously trying to get away for a few days so I pretended I didn't know who he was. As soon as he left I googled him and sure enough it was who I thought it was.

     

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