Hi all
Thought I would start a thread where we can mention which famous people we have been lucky enough to spot.
I spotted Jenni Falconer today on Princes Street (from GMTV). Maybe not too impressive, but it's a start!! Hoping Christian Slater will be my 2nd famous person, when I go to see One flew over the cuckoo's nest next week.
Anyone else spotted any famous person yet?
Famous people spotting
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Guest
Other than Bellybabe, I haven't met anyone famous in ages. However, in my student days I was approached by the wrestler Giant Haystacks, who asked me 'Excuse me mate, can you tell me where the nearest fish and chip shop is?"
Years later I was at a conference thing in Doncaster (I think) where the star turn was Jack Duckworth doing a cabaret spot. I met him at the bar afterwards and got his autograph and everything! Oh, and I spotted Frankie Howard in St James Centre once. Is he still alive?
Years later I was at a conference thing in Doncaster (I think) where the star turn was Jack Duckworth doing a cabaret spot. I met him at the bar afterwards and got his autograph and everything! Oh, and I spotted Frankie Howard in St James Centre once. Is he still alive?
I walked past Frank Bruno in Abbeyhill once - he was with his trainer and was coming from the direction of Meadowbank. I knew I had one chance to look either at his face or his hands, so I concentrated on his left hand. I'll never forget it - it was as big as a dinner plate. The dude could have swatted me like a fly.
I served a bottle of Becks to Steven Berkoff when I worked the bar at a festy venue a few years back. I was less impressed by the fact that he had written some plays than by the fact that he was the guy in the helicopter in Rambo II. Although he had flunkeys with him who doted on his every word, he payed for his drink himself. His wallet was stuffed with £1 notes. I just smiled and stared at the famous cyst thing on his tefal.
At the same bar, someone much nicer was there - the guy who played the bank manager in "City Lights". Genuinely starstruck, I offered to chuck his takeaway pizza box in my bin bag of bottles for him. He politely declined and chucked it away himself, which I though was a great show of humility from the great man.
I've met and spoken to Annabel Giles a couple of times because her then boyfriend (this is about 7 or 8 Fringes ago) was kipping in the flat of student reprobates I was then living in before Mrs Dadaist rescued me. Even though her daughter must be used to a rather different lifestyle what with Midge Ure as a dad and a sleb as a mum, she was quite happy playing Mario on our old NES in the midst of what can only be politely described as student detritus and flotsam.
Mrs Dadaist and I were having a meal once in La Bonne Vie with Gavin Hastings at the table next to us. He has a wicked sense of humour - on the desert menu was Bitter Chocolate Tart and when the waiter came round he pointed to one of his dining companions and said "xxxx will have this - because she's a bitter tart!"
I used to know one of the Boys Of The Lough. We had a "teach yourself the tin whistle" tape and he picked up the tin whistle and played an accompaniment which was almost heartbreakingly beautiful.
I served a bottle of Becks to Steven Berkoff when I worked the bar at a festy venue a few years back. I was less impressed by the fact that he had written some plays than by the fact that he was the guy in the helicopter in Rambo II. Although he had flunkeys with him who doted on his every word, he payed for his drink himself. His wallet was stuffed with £1 notes. I just smiled and stared at the famous cyst thing on his tefal.
At the same bar, someone much nicer was there - the guy who played the bank manager in "City Lights". Genuinely starstruck, I offered to chuck his takeaway pizza box in my bin bag of bottles for him. He politely declined and chucked it away himself, which I though was a great show of humility from the great man.
I've met and spoken to Annabel Giles a couple of times because her then boyfriend (this is about 7 or 8 Fringes ago) was kipping in the flat of student reprobates I was then living in before Mrs Dadaist rescued me. Even though her daughter must be used to a rather different lifestyle what with Midge Ure as a dad and a sleb as a mum, she was quite happy playing Mario on our old NES in the midst of what can only be politely described as student detritus and flotsam.
Mrs Dadaist and I were having a meal once in La Bonne Vie with Gavin Hastings at the table next to us. He has a wicked sense of humour - on the desert menu was Bitter Chocolate Tart and when the waiter came round he pointed to one of his dining companions and said "xxxx will have this - because she's a bitter tart!"
I used to know one of the Boys Of The Lough. We had a "teach yourself the tin whistle" tape and he picked up the tin whistle and played an accompaniment which was almost heartbreakingly beautiful.
Terry Nutkins! Wow, you definitely win the gold medal for that one. Ah, those innocent days of only 1 1/2 hours of children's tv, and only on two of the three channels... When Battle of the Planets was THE high tech cartoon...(Ooh, I should put that in the charity shop thread as my best find, a BOTP vid that I only let my son watch when he's been extra good)
I saw Paul Shane once standing on Blackpool Pier but disappointed my dad by not being brave enough to go up to him. Narrowly missed seeing Shirley whats-her-name from down Joppa way as she walked past us in Solas a few weeks ago. See Lorna a lot, and she's been on the Generation Game... Saw Curly Watts from Corrie at Mannie airport - he was in a very bad mood. Completely ignored the lovely lasses shouting "Eh up, Curly, show us your trolleys, love!" or words to similar effect. And Fred the weatherman (oh, do people know who he is up here?) gave the after dinner speech at my last faculty ball at uni - God, he was soooo dull. The chap that used to present It's a knockout (the one done for shoplifting), now what was his name, lived in my very small hometown, as do various Man U footballers, and as did Pat Phoenix. But then the moors murderers and Harold Shipman only lived three miles away too.
So, not quite A-list celebs. More what you'd call about Z-list.
I saw Paul Shane once standing on Blackpool Pier but disappointed my dad by not being brave enough to go up to him. Narrowly missed seeing Shirley whats-her-name from down Joppa way as she walked past us in Solas a few weeks ago. See Lorna a lot, and she's been on the Generation Game... Saw Curly Watts from Corrie at Mannie airport - he was in a very bad mood. Completely ignored the lovely lasses shouting "Eh up, Curly, show us your trolleys, love!" or words to similar effect. And Fred the weatherman (oh, do people know who he is up here?) gave the after dinner speech at my last faculty ball at uni - God, he was soooo dull. The chap that used to present It's a knockout (the one done for shoplifting), now what was his name, lived in my very small hometown, as do various Man U footballers, and as did Pat Phoenix. But then the moors murderers and Harold Shipman only lived three miles away too.
So, not quite A-list celebs. More what you'd call about Z-list.
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
-Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
-Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
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Guest
The BBC canteen is a great place for celebrity spotting, but you have to be cool about it. I stood behind Alan Bennett in the queue once, and I once borrowed Hugh Scully's salt cellar.
Fuuniest, though was Wednesdays (the day TOTP used to be recorded) because TV Centre - I wasn't based there, but did work there from time to time - suddenly became full of A List Celebs who were cool even by BBC standards. You used to see huge numbers of secretaries and backroom people, who normally dressed for work in scabby outfits, suddenly putting on their clubbing clothes in the hope of bumping in to Simon Le Bon.
Fuuniest, though was Wednesdays (the day TOTP used to be recorded) because TV Centre - I wasn't based there, but did work there from time to time - suddenly became full of A List Celebs who were cool even by BBC standards. You used to see huge numbers of secretaries and backroom people, who normally dressed for work in scabby outfits, suddenly putting on their clubbing clothes in the hope of bumping in to Simon Le Bon.
Ok, Tom Cruise and Michale Stipe in the same day but not together,Hempel Hotel London. I was staying as a guest of a rich mate of mine and these guys were staying to. I spoke with Michael who was charming. The staff loved him. The other memorable thing about that place was the price of the 2 Ham and Mozzarella sandwiches we ordered from room service when we got home pished. Someone please have a guess?
I sat at the next table to Steve Martin at the Caledonian Hotel a few Festivals ago. My friend forbid me from introducing myself. Met Princess Anne, who is gorgeous in real life.Can't count any Scottish Rugby Players as I know quite a lot. However, Francois Piennar (SA) Davd Campese, John Eales and most of the rest of the Aussie World Cup Winners in Cardiff Brannigans after the Final in 1999. Tim (the brilliant centre whose name escapes me at the mo, bought me a beer).And the absoulte joy of meeting Will Carling and Mickey Skinner on the famous 17 March day back in 1990 at The Carlton Hotel Bar.
There must be a few more?
Robin Cook.Anita Roddick several times, George Leighton, Annabel Giles, Frank Skinner, Harry Hill, Josie Lawrence (As hot as it gets!) and one of the highlights: Jonathan Ross who compered an event I took part in. Regardless of one's views of him as a TV personality the man's people skills are awesome. I believe he was paid 12 Grand for his 2 or 3 hours and he was worth it.
My celebrity high point was being clipped by a limo that contained Bruce Springsteen outside the Wembley Arena in 1992 or 3?It was a bit sore but again it was worth it.
Finally to end on a slightly less cellubrious note I went to University with Jack McConnell and met Peter Sutcliffe (Yorkshire Ripper) in a B&B in Peebles. James Boyle is another murderer I've met.
Tim Horan is the Tim in question.
I sat at the next table to Steve Martin at the Caledonian Hotel a few Festivals ago. My friend forbid me from introducing myself. Met Princess Anne, who is gorgeous in real life.Can't count any Scottish Rugby Players as I know quite a lot. However, Francois Piennar (SA) Davd Campese, John Eales and most of the rest of the Aussie World Cup Winners in Cardiff Brannigans after the Final in 1999. Tim (the brilliant centre whose name escapes me at the mo, bought me a beer).And the absoulte joy of meeting Will Carling and Mickey Skinner on the famous 17 March day back in 1990 at The Carlton Hotel Bar.
There must be a few more?
Robin Cook.Anita Roddick several times, George Leighton, Annabel Giles, Frank Skinner, Harry Hill, Josie Lawrence (As hot as it gets!) and one of the highlights: Jonathan Ross who compered an event I took part in. Regardless of one's views of him as a TV personality the man's people skills are awesome. I believe he was paid 12 Grand for his 2 or 3 hours and he was worth it.
My celebrity high point was being clipped by a limo that contained Bruce Springsteen outside the Wembley Arena in 1992 or 3?It was a bit sore but again it was worth it.
Finally to end on a slightly less cellubrious note I went to University with Jack McConnell and met Peter Sutcliffe (Yorkshire Ripper) in a B&B in Peebles. James Boyle is another murderer I've met.
Tim Horan is the Tim in question.
Last edited by Porty on 09 Aug 2004, 08:03, edited 3 times in total.
The best I can do is Prince Philip when he opened the swing park at Mount Lodge (yes folks, it's true - Mount Lodge swing park was once worthy of Royalty). He asked me my name 
I doubt if he'll remember it now though 
Riding on the back of somebody else's achievements - Mr Epykat works quite regularly in Ronnie Corbett's house in East Lothian and only the other week the great man offered him a cuppa (he is as small as he looks on telly apparently)
I doubt if he'll remember it now though Riding on the back of somebody else's achievements - Mr Epykat works quite regularly in Ronnie Corbett's house in East Lothian and only the other week the great man offered him a cuppa (he is as small as he looks on telly apparently)
Porty, are you anything to do with PH FP Rugby Club - if so, I might know you as I step out with El Presidente of same?!Can't count any Scottish Rugby Players as I know quite a lot.
I was once in the cubicle next to Sean Lineen at a physio place while he was getting his groin seen to!
Also, knew Alistair Darling and some members of Runrig [esp Donnie Munro] when I was at Aberdeen university.
Once had a hug from John 'we're all doomed' Laurie when I worked in Jenners one summer.
And when I worked in the Scotch House spotted Leo Sayer, Donovan [actually served him], and Daryl Hall & John Oates - thought one of them was a female as he had long blonde hair and a fur coat
I sat next to Ronnie Corbett at a Spike Milligan show during the Festival many years ago and I once chatted to Tom Conti on Leith Walk believing him to be someone from my office. Horribly embarrassing!!Mr Epykat works quite regularly in Ronnie Corbett's house
P.S. I love that ad for Sky Plus that Ronnie does with Alice Cooper, always makes me chuckle.
I was in the same primary school class as Max Splodge lead singer of Splodgenessabounds who sang "Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please". His name was Matin Everest then and I used to go and play his table ice hockey game after school.
Say something once, why say it again?
When I have nothing to say my lips are sealed
When I have nothing to say my lips are sealed
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Guest
Now that is impressive!I was in the same primary school class as Max Splodge lead singer of Splodgenessabounds who sang "Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please".
And a classic line from Elvis Costello. "Brilliant Mistake" I believe.She said she was working for the ABC news
It was as much of the alphabet she knew how to use
I was approached by Bryan Adam's guitarist as I carried guitars out of the Balmoral hotel. Bryan then turned up and said hello. This was just after they finished at the Playhouse a couple of years ago.
Can't remember the guitarist's name, but he seemed genuinely interested in what gear we used and what tunes we played. Bryan is a rather short man too.
Whio's spotted the shortest celeb?
Can't remember the guitarist's name, but he seemed genuinely interested in what gear we used and what tunes we played. Bryan is a rather short man too.
Whio's spotted the shortest celeb?
Many years ago I saw John Smith and Donald Dewar walking along Princes Street together.
Last year I almost walked into Sean Connery and his wife in George Street when I came out my building society.
Have also seen Eileen McCallum (from Take the High Road - probably shuldn't admit I watched that) Shareen Nanjani in Glasgow, John Gordon Sinclair, oh, and the Pope (but quite a few folk would have seen him as he was driven through Princes Street).
Last year I almost walked into Sean Connery and his wife in George Street when I came out my building society.
Have also seen Eileen McCallum (from Take the High Road - probably shuldn't admit I watched that) Shareen Nanjani in Glasgow, John Gordon Sinclair, oh, and the Pope (but quite a few folk would have seen him as he was driven through Princes Street).
Many years ago I was on the same plane as Steptoe's son Mr Corbett and the gorgeous Ray Davis of Kinks fame (ok I liked him).
Returned from NY on the same plane as U2 minus Bono - and Jim Kerr.
Young Cousin went out with the Lead Singer from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - suppose this does not count as I didn't actually meet him!
Returned from NY on the same plane as U2 minus Bono - and Jim Kerr.
Young Cousin went out with the Lead Singer from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - suppose this does not count as I didn't actually meet him!
I got my picture taken for some Judo advert a few years back with Graeme Randell, Judo world champion,never actually saw it any where though.
Oh yeah and one of my old teachers was on some game show, not mutch of a claim to fame but there you go.
Apologys on the dodgey spelling and puncuation.
Oh yeah and one of my old teachers was on some game show, not mutch of a claim to fame but there you go.
Apologys on the dodgey spelling and puncuation.
so long and thanks for all the fish....
Well, we have one of him with a Lewis Buchanan, but if that's you I have to say I'm *really* impressed with the spelling and puncutation, because you must be all of...six!Far Side wrote:I got my picture taken for some Judo advert a few years back with Graeme Randell, Judo world champion,never actually saw it any where though.
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
-Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
-Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
I hate getting rumbled.Poppy wrote:Porty - have just found out who you are.Gave the clues to Pooley who quickly guessed. And I've just re-read your post about car costs which should have alerted me the first time I read it!
We'll have to 'porty person bag' each other next time we meet at the club or in the pub!
Can't believe so many of you work in the same place.
