• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Celebrities you have met and admired and celebrities that you wish you hadn't met

Status
Not open for further replies.

Busaholic

Veteran Member
Joined
7 Jun 2014
Messages
14,671
Who is Michael Morpurgo? Thought this thread was about celebrities? Never heard of him! :s
He was Children's Laureate for a couple of years. His best known work is War Horse. and the one bit of the Queen's Jubilee boat trip down the Thames she visibly enjoyed was the representation of it on top of the National Theatre.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Mcr Warrior

Veteran Member
Joined
8 Jan 2009
Messages
14,847
Thanks for clarifying Busaholic. Have heard of (but not ever seen or read) "War Horse" but genuinely not aware of the gentleman in question.

To be fair, he's probably not heard of me, either! ;)
 

185143

Established Member
Joined
3 Mar 2013
Messages
4,879
I've met Geoff Marshall 3 times. Once on Merseyrail during "All The Stations", then again in the lounge car of the Fort William sleeper last summer and again at Manchester Piccadilly earlier this year. He comes across as a really nice guy and takes banter well. It was funny to see him get excited at Lime Street when we got off the Merseyrail due to it's similarity with LU. He was nice enough to come back and sit in the seats with us for a short time after the sleeper staff realised me and my mate were plebs from the seated coach and kicked us out of the lounge car doorway that we were standing in.

I've sat behind Christopher Eccleston on a TPE 350. I didn't know who he was, but he was more than happy to have selfies and chat briefly with the train crew and a couple of passengers who'd recognised him. I've also seen Portillo filming near Manchester Oxford Road.

I'm not one for recognizing 'celebrities' so I've probably met/seen far more. I suspect there is at least one more as I was dealing with someone at work who was rather difficult and obnoxious before coming out with the classic "do you know who I am?" line. His face was a picture when I said "absolutely no idea!" He never bothered to enlighten me either.
 

Ashley Hill

Established Member
Joined
8 Dec 2019
Messages
4,168
Location
The West Country
Jenny Agutter often travels on our services and we always exchange pleasantries. Su Pollard on the other hand had a right diva tantrum when there was no 1st class on my DMU. Hi-de-Hi had just ended so everybody knew her as comical cleaner Peggy,my passengers saw her in a whole different light that day!
 

Busaholic

Veteran Member
Joined
7 Jun 2014
Messages
14,671
Jenny Agutter often travels on our services and we always exchange pleasantries. Su Pollard on the other hand had a right diva tantrum when there was no 1st class on my DMU. Hi-de-Hi had just ended so everybody knew her as comical cleaner Peggy,my passengers saw her in a whole different light that day!
In the days of Wales and West Railways Rick Stein played such a number when boarding a train at Bodmin Parkway to change at Plymouth to the London train, whereupon it was straight to First Class.
 

MotCO

Established Member
Joined
25 Aug 2014
Messages
5,157
Thanks for clarifying Busaholic. Have heard of (but not ever seen or read) "War Horse" but genuinely not aware of the gentleman in question.

To be fair, he's probably not heard of me, either! ;)

I've heard of you, but not Michael Morpurgo :lol: :lol: .
 

FQ

Established Member
Associate Staff
Quizmaster
Joined
4 Oct 2013
Messages
6,645
Location
-
Just remembered another for me, on a train this time: sat opposite Mick Jagger on a TFW service from Shrewsbury to Birmingham one Sunday afternoon a few years back. He was travelling with someone so I didn't want to disturb but he was happy to sign a couple of autographs (including one for the guard).
 

Jamesrob637

Established Member
Joined
12 Aug 2016
Messages
5,658
Severiano Ballesteros when I was a baby and my dad was caddy for golfers in the Open. Apparently he was nice and chatty. Golf lost a legend when he died. I may have seen Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo too but I can't honestly remember.
 

Journeyman

Established Member
Joined
16 Apr 2014
Messages
6,295
Seb Coe. Met him twice, once at an athletics event and once in the posh seats at a Manchester City game. Arrogant, rude to the waitresses etc, kept refusing to sign autographs for people

I used to be a booking clerk, and regularly sold tickets to him. I've rarely come across anyone so condescending, arrogant, rude and up himself. My blood pressure went through the roof every time he appeared - he treated me like the sh*t on his shoe.

Also used to serve Max Clifford fairly often - he was polite enough, but would often tip us off on the stories he was working on, and he came across as utterly unscrupulous and happy to exploit anyone's misery to make a quick buck - which of course he was.

My only claim to fame is a brief meeting with Ken Livingstone (then GLC leader) on the top deck of a Routemaster on the Edgware Road back in the 1980's; he boarded the bus and sat in front of me. He was happy to acknowledge the folk around him who recognised him, and he shook my hand when I wished him well for the future as I got off.

I met him at an event for TfL staff following the London bombings in 2005. I spoke to him briefly. He ranted at length about how useless the Underground was. Given my job at the time, and my involvement in the 7/7 response, and that the event was to thank those involved, I was left with the impression that he was deeply unpleasant.

I once met Prince Edward when he visited the control room I worked in. Seemed genuinely very nice, and quick to put us at our ease. He asked lots of thoughtful questions about our work, and took plenty of interest in what we did.

I saw comedian David Mitchell on the tube once, and briefly spoke to him, getting his autograph in the process. I told him how much I liked his work, and he was really appreciative and friendly.
 

plannerman

Member
Joined
16 Mar 2010
Messages
129
Location
Driving my desk...
Back when I was a student, I was drinking with some mates in a little village pub near Huddersfield when Kevin Lloyd walked in. There was nobody else in and after initially sitting alone at the bar he came and joined us, talking cricket and generally putting the world to rights. He was staying in a nearby hotel after some filming. This wouldn't have been long before he sadly passed.
 

londonbridge

Established Member
Joined
30 Jun 2010
Messages
1,673
Richard Stilgoe. His son Joe is a musician and was the opening act at a concert I’d been to, came out to the foyer afterwards and there was Richard happily chatting away with people, really nice chap.

KT Tunstall, always makes time to chat with fans.

On the other hand, met Joss Stone back at the start of her career when she was still a teenager, giggly, bubbly, really friendly, fast forward three years and a couple of albums and she’d completely changed, was irritable and moody, signing cds and trying to get through everyone as quickly as possible as she obviously didn’t want to be there.

Steven Seagal, saw him play with his band once, went round the back of the venue afterwards (I’d bought my Under Seige DVD covers along) after waiting some seventy five minutes there were three people left, we could see him inside the building looking out the window, couple of minutes later he came out flanked by two minders who put him straight in the car and drove off without a single word of acknowledgement.
 

Busaholic

Veteran Member
Joined
7 Jun 2014
Messages
14,671
I used to be a booking clerk, and regularly sold tickets to him. I've rarely come across anyone so condescending, arrogant, rude and up himself. My blood pressure went through the roof every time he appeared - he treated me like the sh*t on his shoe.

.
Back in the day, Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe vied with each other for the same titles. I worked in an office with Ovett's father-in-law, and the rumours that Coe and Ovett loathed each other were certainly confirmed, on the Ovett side at least. If Ovett wasn't running a race it was ABC (anyone but Coe). In Cornwall, Coe is remembered as a one term MP who cut and run in case he didn't get re-elected.
 

Kingspanner

Member
Joined
17 Jul 2019
Messages
327
Location
Dinsdale
I once met Prince Edward in bizarre circumstances. He was representing Really Useful Films or some such and I was on a training exercise for investigators which happened to include an auto-erotic asphyxia scenario. Anyway, he turns up with a Special Branch minder and a youth in school uniform whose presence was not explained. There followed a difficult conversation in which we established that he had not heard of Michael Hutchence.
 

D365

Veteran Member
Joined
29 Jun 2012
Messages
12,199
Craig Charles has supposedly got better in his advancing years after his personal issues, he did a DJ gig a few years ago near me and people that went there said that he was charming and really down to earth, although sometimes I have to turn off the Gadget show because he can be a bit O.T.T at times,..

I had no idea that Charles is presenting Gadget Show now; I’d half assumed that since he didn’t get the gig for the Takeshi’s Castle revival, he wouldn’t be presenting anything again :oops:

Speaking of Gadget Show, I met Jon Bentley in the summer of 2013. Fantastic and down-to-earth chap.
 
Joined
24 Mar 2019
Messages
268
Location
The Canny Toon
I met Brian May at a do - I'd mentioned to the organiser that I'd been at the same school as him, although a few years later, and she insisted on introducing me. We di dnd' t talk about that, but he was very friendly and we chatted about going back to academic study in later life. He's very sound on badgers, too.
 

route101

Veteran Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
11,364
I've met Geoff Marshall 3 times. Once on Merseyrail during "All The Stations", then again in the lounge car of the Fort William sleeper last summer and again at Manchester Piccadilly earlier this year. He comes across as a really nice guy and takes banter well. It was funny to see him get excited at Lime Street when we got off the Merseyrail due to it's similarity with LU. He was nice enough to come back and sit in the seats with us for a short time after the sleeper staff realised me and my mate were plebs from the seated coach and kicked us out of the lounge car doorway that we were standing in.

I've sat behind Christopher Eccleston on a TPE 350. I didn't know who he was, but he was more than happy to have selfies and chat briefly with the train crew and a couple of passengers who'd recognised him. I've also seen Portillo filming near Manchester Oxford Road.

I'm not one for recognizing 'celebrities' so I've probably met/seen far more. I suspect there is at least one more as I was dealing with someone at work who was rather difficult and obnoxious before coming out with the classic "do you know who I am?" line. His face was a picture when I said "absolutely no idea!" He never bothered to enlighten me either.

I met Geoff and Vicki too on my local line back in 2017. Very nice to talk to , sat down with me and asked me advice on a connection.
 

Jamiescott1

Member
Joined
22 Feb 2019
Messages
1,082
Judge Jules and Sister Bliss both very nice people and love spending time with DJ's that are either before them on the setlist or after them giving advice and chat.

The Worst: Danny Rampling and Dave Pearce both obnoxious and up their own backsides, both try and kick you off the decks 20 minutes before you are supposed to as they are more famous.

Really surprised at that.
Judge jules comes across as stuck up and thinking his better than anyone.

Danny rampling is my favourite radio 1 dj so disappointed in that.

Sister bliss does seem down to earth.

Never a dave pearce fan. Jumped on the bandwagon to whatever genre was popular at the time
 

C J Snarzell

Established Member
Joined
11 Apr 2019
Messages
1,516
I've seen Kym Marsh a couple of times in the last few years shopping close to where she grew up in Ashton-in-Makerfield and Haydock. Her family still live locally, although I'm not too sure where Kym lives these days. She used to sing in a couple of the local clubs prior to the Hear'Say fame. Quite down to earth and friendly, but like many people in the limelight, she's happy to be left alone if she's out & about doing her errands and not collared by some die hard Coronation Street fan.

CJ
 

Zerothebrake!

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2012
Messages
180
Jenny Agutter often travels on our services and we always exchange pleasantries. Su Pollard on the other hand had a right diva tantrum when there was no 1st class on my DMU. Hi-de-Hi had just ended so everybody knew her as comical cleaner Peggy,my passengers saw her in a whole different light that day!

Hi di Hi....Hi di Hoh?
 

Swanny200

Member
Joined
18 Sep 2010
Messages
680
Really surprised at that.
Judge jules comes across as stuck up and thinking his better than anyone.

Danny rampling is my favourite radio 1 dj so disappointed in that.

Sister bliss does seem down to earth.

Never a dave pearce fan. Jumped on the bandwagon to whatever genre was popular at the time

JJ used to turn up before the end of my set, he used to ask what I had played beforehand so he didn't repeat, I used to do a lot of Old Skool stuff mixed in with some of the newer Ibiza hits, he gave me a few tips and even gave me a copy of a newer edit of Cafe Del Mar which at the time was a floorfiller, thing is it depends on how you are with people and how they are with you, Rampling never made any effort in chatting to anyone before a set, I could use a few unrepeatables about Pearce.

Sister Bliss came in one night, plugged in her keyboard, making sure that she didn't encroach my space as if you know DJ booths they can be very tight, tapped my headphones and asked if it was ok beforehand, at the end of my set I went to leave and she said that if I wanted to stay and watch then I could, I ended up on the mixer for her at one point when she wanted a bit more bite.

Never met Tim Westwood but was told by many on the circuit that he was the archetypal "I'm better than anyone else", a couple of stories of him offering out people for a fight and then letting his mates take over.

Also in my DJ days I met Lynsey Dawn McKenzie and a few others Sunday Sport fame when I worked at a club in Kent, they used to do lapdances as I DJ'd, this was just after she broke up with Michael Greco, seemed a really nice girl and quite grounded, not what I expected.
 

Welshman

Established Member
Joined
11 Mar 2010
Messages
3,052
When I was a priest in a small Leicestershire village many years ago, Central TV used the church for a funeral service in the series "Connie" about the Nottinghamshire Rag Trade. I, in my clerical collar, [along with most of the village], turned-up to watch the proceedings. During a break in filming, I got talking to Stephanie Beacham, who asked if I were a "real one" or an actor! During our conversation I asked her what had been her favourite role to date. She replied the one she had in "Tenko" as she could simply role out of bed and go straight on set without worrying about being made up. She was a lovely person to talk with, and showed nothing of the superiority or side you might have expected with a celebrity.

On another occasion, while waiting to conduct a marriage, I discovered the Best Man was Richard Wilson. Meeting in the vestry beforehand, I resisted the urge to shout "I don't belieeeve it!" He was very sociable and we had an interesting conversation, only broken when the bride turned-up, and he and I had to attend to our duties.
 

AJM580

Member
Joined
31 Jan 2016
Messages
642
Location
Norwich
Met Michael Palin at a book signing - found him to be a pleasant chap. Also bumped into Bryan Gunn (former Norwich & Scotland goalie). Although busy, he signed the book I had, and chatted briefly about the previous week's game. My dad met Katherine Jenkins at the theatre, and reckoned she was lovely. Probably spoke to her in Welsh
 

Jamesrob637

Established Member
Joined
12 Aug 2016
Messages
5,658
Met Michael Palin at a book signing - found him to be a pleasant chap. Also bumped into Bryan Gunn (former Norwich & Scotland goalie). Although busy, he signed the book I had, and chatted briefly about the previous week's game. My dad met Katherine Jenkins at the theatre, and reckoned she was lovely. Probably spoke to her in Welsh

Never heard a bad thing about Palin. He is getting on a bit now though. His programme last Sunday was epic and most of his memories are still razor sharp (aided a little by TV and his cassettes)
 

Swanny200

Member
Joined
18 Sep 2010
Messages
680
Never heard a bad thing about Palin. He is getting on a bit now though. His programme last Sunday was epic and most of his memories are still razor sharp (aided a little by TV and his cassettes)
His around the World in 80 days was an eye opener as a kid, pole to pole was amazing too especially with his age
 

Kingspanner

Member
Joined
17 Jul 2019
Messages
327
Location
Dinsdale
His around the World in 80 days was an eye opener as a kid, pole to pole was amazing too especially with his age
In fairness he was only 47 at the time Pole to Pole was filmed. Landmark show though. Watching it over the last few weeks brought back strong memories of it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top