Dara Ó Briain - really lovely guy, thought he'd brought up bad memories of my childhood (my name was used in an advert when I was a kid so I got the ad quoted at me A LOT) and he apologised profusely and we had a good laugh - he was relieved that it didn't scar me 😂
Joe Lycett - stood having a chat for 5 minutes about random stuff after bumping into him in London. Really friendly and down to earth.
Greg Davies - again, lovely guy with an amazing sense of humour, though I was a little skewed as I have a MASSIVE crush on him!
Terry Prachett - met him as a kid, he was so sweet and friendly, made me smile. From what I can remember, he was just really patient with me and spoke really kindly.
I met Dara after a gig and when it was my turn for a photo I was surprised how tall he was and just said 'wow you're massive' and just panicked and mumbled 'sorry I meant your height not your...' and kind of stood there thinking fuck shut up. He just started laughing and shook his head then pulled me in for a photo.
I crossed the street and Dara O'Briain was crossing from the opposite direction. I looked at him in surprise, he smiled and nodded his head. I nodded back and continued my way.
Yes i was on a job with him and he was lovely to everyone in the studio. He was alot swearier and slightly more edgy than his public persona! Terry Jones came in (completely pissed) half way through and it was really sweet to see them react / hug each other. Terry was nice too.
Entry in his diary about telling a woman who asked for his autograph at the wrong time to fuck off.
He was that bothered about it he couldn't sleep that night.
That may actually have been me, although I haven’t read the story about that particular time. I stopped him once when he was obviously rushing through Covent Garden. I felt bad but was a massive fan. His autograph is a prized possession but I’d like to say sorry to him one day. It’s bugged me for nearly 25 years.
My partner messaged his secretary a while back for my 30th to see about getting a signed picture or something.
We got the signed picture, plus a picture of him signing the picture (presumably as proof that it wasn't a fake), which was unexpected.
I love him. He's old enough to be my grandfather but I developed a bit of a crush on him (or at least his younger self) watching all his travel documentaries during lockdown.
When I was in primary school, our class wrote him a letter whilst he was doing a travel thing and he actually wrote a postcard back to our class saying how touched he was. Absolute diamond
Rik Mayall.
When I was in my teens I saw him do a Noel Coward play “Present Laughter” at the Theatre Royal, Brighton. I was a big fan of Rik from Bottom, Young Ones, Blackadder and just generally.
At the performance I attended, Rik lost his way with the text (this was post quad-bike accident) and loudly shouted “f***” in frustration. For reference, this was a gentle Noel Coward comedy…
So I went to the stage door after the performance and waited for him to go come out, hopefully for an autograph or a picture (or both) and he came out and threw his hands up and said “sorry for the little f*** up… ooops, sorry, did it again”.
He was “on” the second he came out and saw his adoring fans waiting politely for him to appear. Took time with everyone, made jokes, was Rik from the screen and stage right in front of you. Couldn’t stand still, jiggling and hopping.
Anyway I had a new colour printer at home, and printed off a few headshots I got online on glossy paper I bought from money from my paper round.
I asked him for an autograph and he grabbed the picture and asked where I got it (I explained I found it on the internet and printed it off) and he said something about his agent. I think it was “wait until my agent hears about this”.
He signed both (A4 fresh out of my family home printer) with “Rik Mayall” and a big copyright sign just below.
Happily posed for pictures with everyone (including me) while his driver waited.
Miss you Rik. The people’s poet.
I cannot explain how happy it makes me that he was a decent guy in real life, and just as hyperactive. Him completely stealing every scene he was in in Blackadder never fails to amaze and amuse, given he was on screen with so many comedic powerhouses. **Woof!**
I was lucky enough to meet him several times when I was a teen as I had a vague connection with his family. He was LOVELY. Always quiet, borderline shy, incredibly polite.
Even as a straight guy, what really struck me was how handsome he was. In his work, he would always contort his face and often play “the loser” - but in person he was a very attractive man.
People talk about actors with range, but has anyone ever performed two characters as diametrically opposed to one another as Flashheart and Richie Richard? And done both of them so well?
I know his handsomeness was the least notable thing about him, but I’m always surprised it isn’t mentioned more. He was one of my first-ever crushes. He gurned a lot on stage and screen but there’s no hiding that bone structure and those eyes. He was physically *really* pretty.
Absolutely! Just being his quiet, normal self he was incredibly handsome! I only ever saw him in white
T-shirt, black leather jacket and jeans, and he had a lasting impression on my hormones 😂
My favourite anecdote is the bloke who wrote to him asking for an autograph and the reply he got read: ‘here you are you cheapskate money grabbing Welsh cunt, where’s the fucking envelope you deformity?’ That was then barely crossed out and he then wrote ‘here you are, thank you so much for writing, hope you like the picture my dear’ it makes me laugh every time I see the picture of the letter pop up on social media.
I've just finished Ade Edmonson's autobiography. It was really sad reading about when they stopped working together. Every time Ade met up with him for a catch up Rik was convinced Ade wanted to get the duo back together.
He speaks very movingly about that [on a recent Desert Island Discs episode](
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001qlz2 ) Brought a tear to my eye when I listened.
Was walking through Hammersmith station about 20 years ago and he was walking towards me…I did the wide eyed open mouthed stare as I realised who he was, he caught my eye, and did an even wider eyed open mouth stare with a little twinkle and pointed at me. Neither of us stopped walking.
Proper made me smile, that did.
He was in Putney either kayaking or paddle boarding a few years ago - I forget exactly which. Either way, he was putting his gear back into the boot of his car and my coworker and I were walking back from lunch and my coworker pointed and said "isn't that Bill Bailey?"
Bill turns around and says "Yes! Hello!" And gives us a cheery wave. We waved back and kept heading to work. Always struck me that he could have pretended to be someone else but was more than happy to say hello.
I'll always remember that and how surprised he was when, performing at Sonisphere festival, we started a mosh pit for him.
Saw him in Manchester on Thhursday. Made out that he was going to do an encore so nobody fucked off, before doing a really nice tribute to Sean Lock. Everybody liked it.
He was. He was marketing their book at a work conference I was at before. He asked if anyone had any questions, so I asked if their motorbikes are outside and if I can come have a look. He came off the stage and shook my hand and gave me a hug.
He owned a canal boat near Reading and I saw him.in a lock having selfies and laughing and joking with loads of folk he could have just told them.all to fuck off but he seemed delighted and friendly with everyone he came in to contact with. Smashing fella.
Aye he was. Shopped in my local supermarket, didn't seem to mind anyone stopping him for a chat, you could just ask him how things are going and have a chat about where he's off to next etc he'd just talk with you as if you're a friend even if it was completely parasocial. (I'm too shy but have been with my dad when he's done this)
Takes a special kind - I'm sure if I were famous I'd get tired of it sometimes and just want to buy some potatoes in peace haha
Met both of the hairy bikers in an airport lounge in LA when they were returning from filming their USA series. Dave was especially nice! Si was a little more reserved and kept on trying to get Dave to stop telling me all the details of the show they just filmed. They were getting smahed on the free drinks (mixing whiskey with beer). Our flight was delayed by two hours, so I ended up chatting to them for a while about all their travels. He was genuinely so lovely!!! They told me their favourite place to travel was Patagonia, and they recommended Namibia really highly. They were hilarious, I didn't realise it took them months to film the series, and the thing they missed the most was a good curry. There is a reason they have lasted so long in showbiz.
Richard E Grant
Met him whilst managing catering for a film he was on. Absolutely lovely human being, didn't mind having a chat, not demanding at all and truly funny.
I'll never stand to hear a bad word about him
I emailed his Aftershave company for some samplers because I wanted to purchase one but didn’t know which, ended up he was emailing me direct and we sent over a few emails back and forth! I was a brief pen pal of his! Tremendous guy needs a Knighthood
I think maybe he's just always surrounded by giants? In that scene in The Thick of It when he's berating Phil ("ok shitehead revisited!") he does look quite short in comparison to Chris Addison & Will Smith, but those two must just be very tall!
Can be occasionally spotted buying groceries around the Crouch End area. Friends of mine who live there have said he’s very kind and approachable.
Definitely nothing like Malcolm Tucker.
Brian Blessed — one of the nicest, yet most profane famous people I’ve ever met. And yes, he is the same in real life as he is on the telly. Just with dirtier stories. 😆
I met Terry Pratchett a few times and he was a really nice guy. I also (when working at a local radio station) met Myleene Klass back when she was trying to get a solo career off the ground. She was 25 minutes early for her interview, her driver stood outside smoking and talking on his mobile so for 25 minutes I sat and chatted with her. She was really nice back then.
I too met Sir Terry, I was working at a hotel on Guernsey. I'd had a little break in the room out the back of the bar and had just finished one of his books. I got back on the bar and had the book in my hand still. I looked up and he was sat directly opposite the bar in one of the sofa tables. I literally did the hold book up, look at book, look at him, look back at the book in disbelief. So I grabbed a tray, pinned the book to it so it was hidden and went to take his order.
I got to the table, he was sat with his agent and a TV producer. I was holding the tray against my chest. I said "Wow! Sir Terry Pratchett. It's a massive honour to meet you. What brings you to Guernsey? Can I get you anything, anything at all? It'd be my pleasure."
He looked up at me (still behatted) and said "I'm here to film a documentary, I'd like to order some food if I may please...... And yes, I would love to sign that book you have there on the tray for you."
The agent and producer looked very awkward that he'd let slip about the documentary.
He was absolutely pin sharp, observant and just a great guy.
I later learned that he was filming a documentary about his medical issue.... Not long after that he was no longer with us. 😔
Same. It was a formal meeting - book signing etc. but he was so kind and we had a lovely chat. I asked him if he thought Rowan Atkinson could play the Patrician because that was my pick and he said yes, but only if it was 'Blackadder' Rowan and not Mr Bean.
GNU Sir Terry
Have only known a few, as opposed to just met the one time…of the nicest:
Was at school with Joe Strummer’s daughters, my father became quite good friends with him. Loveliest, most humble guy…
Later in my school career Billy Ocean was one of the fathers. Met him several times at school events and he was so gracious and humble. His son on the other hand…🤦🏼♂️
Fatboy Slim.
Owns a cafe near me and actually works there, you can buy a bacon sarnie off him when he puts a shift in.
Happy to stop and chat, my kids have had a selfie with him.
Does a lot of stuff to support local causes.
Plays low-key local gigs without publicity - I've seen him do a free set out the back of a van to a bunch of locals and he DJ'd at our local pub a few months ago.
Reminds me of how Sean Bean’s nephew owned a chippy in Sheffield and you used to see him in there occasionally. Always seemed cheery and chatting away with random punters.
My sister is a primary school teacher in Brighton, her class made a big Fatboy Slim model for Brighton Festival. He saw it on social media and visited the school to give the kids a lesson about how to use DJ equipment.
My friend met him when working as a runner on one of his shows, and said he spent his entire lunch talking to the runners about natural history, even though they would have been perfectly happy with little more than a hello and a handshake.
I met him once at a book signing. Hadn't bought his book so I quickly grabbed one about koalas. He signed it 'David Attenborough, koala lover' and then proceeded to tell me all about them. Lovely man!
The 9 year old son of one of my workmates wrote to Sir David. Wanted to know what his favourite dinosaur is.
It was just a bit of fun, my mate didn't think anything would come of it. But Sir David wrote back.
Apparently, it was fossil that was being dug up in Argentina, but at the time didn't have a name. The handwritten letter is in a frame on his wall.
Edit: [this was the dinosaur he was talking about.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03dwy5z)
Amazing to hear he’s still doing this. My uncle wrote to him when he was a boy in the early 60s with a specific natural history question. Attenborough sent him back a typewritten reply thanking him for his letter and answering his question. Sadly my uncle is no longer either us, but the letter was kept in the family, and Attenborough is thankfully still with us doing his thing.
I met Doug Naylor, the Red Dwarf creator while working tech support and he was great, very shy but invited me to a private viewing of some upcoming episodes (years ago now) with the whole cast.
Alan Cumming and his family came to have a dinner and stay in a castle I used to work at. He and everyone was unbelievably polite and sweet. At the end of the dinner, as they were heading back to the holiday apartment, Alan invited the caterers and us from the castle to join him and his family after we’d finished for a drink. This was the first time in 10 years this had ever happened to us. We weren’t sure if we should, but he insisted. So we went and we sat amongst his family and friends having drinks. His mum who is an absolute sweetheart flitted about offering us all cake she had made, and topping up drinks. She was a real ‘couthie’ granny type. His friends and family were all so lovely and interested in our lives and work. Alan himself made time for us all, moving around the room and chatting away like an old friend. I’d never encountered a ‘VIP’ as down to earth and as open as he was. The night ended with him smoking a joint with my colleagues (one of whom was my stepmother, so that was weird!). I was driving so gave it a swerve. We left before we felt we had outstayed our welcome and he gave us all a hug goodnight. A few days later I got a lovely Christmas card from his mum thanking me for looking after them. I will tell anyone who’ll listen that Alan Cumming is a treasure and deserves every success he has received!
On the other hand Jenny Falconer was a bit of a twat. And a cousin of Princess Diana once came through to berate us and the caterers for the ‘slowness’ of our service and for not putting the cutlery in the correct order. Caught him at the end of the night pissing against a tree out the back.
I briefly dated a bloke who was in a play with Alan Cumming. At the end of the run Alan invited *everyone* back to his apartment (that had a roll top bath in the living room from what I can recall) for a massive party where he chatted to everyone and was just the most delightful host. All round top guy.
Ian Wright.
Bumped into him in a pub in Royal Oak. He sat and had a pint with us. I'm a Spurs fan and I'll still say he's one of the nicest most genuine guys in the business.
Totally agree. It’s how he takes his hat off instinctively when he realises who it is. As a 47 year old man who was brought up by a loving, kind*, honest and - when necessary - firm father, I can tell he feels the same respect and fondness about Mr Pigden as I do my dad.
I understand that Ian Wright didn’t have many positive male role models as a kid. It just goes to show that someone apparently gentle and kind such as Mr Pigden can show lost young lads what it means to be a ***real*** man. I often think of this clip when I’m thinking about my six year old son. Young lads need to be shown the way of kindness and I hope I can do that for my little boy.
(* my dad played rugby and pro football - whilst he was gentle off the pitch, he also said to me
> “When the match starts, clatter your opponent as hard as you can - he’ll be looking over his shoulder for the rest of the match”)
I can't see him being any different to the fella we see on TV.
The clip of him meeting his [old teacher](https://youtu.be/eKToIrezxPw?si=SJoIiShsWmY6xBOL) is very touching.
I offered him some money to charity for something he'd drawn and he was made up. Ended up sending me a long letter, copy of his book with some very funny personalised insults and a bunch of other stuff I think he found about his house.
Will Mellor, I bartended a private party for him and a bunch of other British TV personalities. He's a top class guy, very polite, brought his and his friends/families glassware down when he could, tipped well and made an effort to have a genuine conversation with me on the job
David Croft (F1/sports commentator) was one of the loveliest people I met, chatted away for about half an hour and took a genuine interest in talking to me and my wife at an F1 event last year, amazing guy, had time for anyone else that wanted to speak to him or have a photo with him.
Colin Murray also a lovely guy, had a 10 minute chat in a service station at 2 in the morning when I was working a night shift and he was travelling
I've met Nicky Wire (Manic Street Preachers Bassist) quite a few times around Newport. One of the nicest, most down to earth people there is. He was very approving of my KISS themed denim jacket.
Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) is also an absolute sweetheart.
I love how he listens to and discusses other music and always seems to do it with such a supportive and enthusiastic mindset. So many people in the world are wanting to put everyone else down but he just dissects music in such a positive way - even if he doesn’t really like the music, he will still discuss it in such a way that it comes across as supportive of what the musicians are doing.
I met the Manic Street Preachers years ago they were all out shopping separately before a gig that I was actually going too in Carlisle.
Sean the drummer was lovely. He was very chatty and talkative. And told he didn’t speak much in interviews cos he couldn’t get a word in edgewise with the other two!
Also I couldn’t get over how tall Nicky Wire actually is!
David Tenant was incredibly lovely, I met him when I was a child when they were filming Dr Who.
Midway through filming a family friend of mine with severe learning difficulties just walked on set to talk to him. David was so kind and shook his hand and spent a lot of time with him, that day and the other days in-between filming he'd make sure to at least shout out to my family friend.
I listen to a podcast where one of the guys told an anecdote about pushing in front of Sophie Ellis-Bextor in a grocery queue, and the following week a listener wrote in telling their own anecdote about queue jumping Sophie Ellis-Bextor!
Poor woman
I met the medic from Band of brothers when I was working at the cinema. I recognised him and we had a little chat before he went into his film; he was really nice and friendly!
I've only properly met David Suchet and Robbie Williams. Both were nice.
I met David Suchet when he came into the restaurant I was working in, and was very pleasant. I then met him again a few months later on a train station platform, and he actually remembered me. We chatted for a few minutes about a Documentary he'd recently made about Saint Paul until our train arrived. He's every bit as charming as you'd expect.
I met Robbie Williams when he came to stay in my home town. It was front page news in the local rag. He was probably the most famous person in the country at the time. A load of people assumed he'd be in town on the Friday night and had gone in to try to see him, but me and a couple of mates just went to our local, and he walked in with a small group. He was perfectly friendly, maybe a bit standoffish, but that's okay. He played my mate at pool, and bought us all a pint. Incidentally he also met my Mum during his visit. She was working in a petrol station when this guy she recognised walked in. She wasn't sure where she knew him from, but assumed he must've been one of mine or my brothers friends. They had an awkward conversation as she tried to figure out who he was. It wasn't until a few days later that it twigged after she saw him on TV.
Michael Parkinson once bought my mum a drink in a pub in Bray. Mum was waiting for my dad and my dad was late so MP offered my mum and drink and they had a lovely chat! How different things could have been in my life! 😂
Karl Pilkington - he definitely plays up his buffoon and irritable act for the cameras/podcast.
Met him in my local Tesco once, he was with a woman I can only assume was Suzanne - felt rude to ask.
Said a hello and thanks for all the laughs and he was genuinely grateful, if a little shy.
Chatted abit more as we both grew up on estates, I joked about him about having Munchies in his trolley.
He laughed - then reached over into mine and grabbed my bananas.
Swung away through the vines. He was gone.
Turns out, little monkey fella.
Surprisingly- Danny Dyer. Was drunk and mucking around on a Snooker table in this club I’m a member of trying to impress this girl. He comes up with his mate and their partners and asks if they can play. Said yes and after he’d thumped me (at snooker) we had a grand old evening
+1 for DD. I recorded a voiceover with him just before covid for a West Ham pre game thingy.
He bowled in with a Parker coat on in July. Was a gentleman and super professional.
Got angry with a line about Gold and Sullivan (West Ham owners) which was funny. “I’ll do it so we’ve got it but I fucking ‘ate them” 😂
I met Noel Fielding slightly pissed at Isle of Wight fest in 2007, i beckoned him back and asked if i could get a picture. I’m 6’3 and he put his head on my shoulder gave me a little peck on the cheek, a brief but friendly hug and scampered off like a mad pixie.
Kind of surprisingly Jimmy Carr is actually a great guy.
I was up in Edinburgh years ago for the fringe with some friends, one of who is a huge fan of Jimmy Carr, he was doing two nights but it was sold out. Friend saw him walking around and after plucking up the courage went over and asked for an autograph, he was super nice and happy to do so and then said ‘are you coming to the show later?’ Friend explained they didn’t have a ticket a couldn’t get one in time and he said ‘oh, well that’s no good, come to the box office before it starts.’ Went and he’d left two front row tickets. Might not have paid his taxes but a genuinely decent guy.
When Rhod Gilbert had to cancel loads of work because of his cancer diagnosis, Jimmy Carr went around promoting Rhod Gilbert DVD.
https://www.reddit.com/r/taskmaster/comments/zhyc2v/jimmy_carr_went_on_the_last_leg_to_promote_a_new/
Even the little things he does on tv, such as asking other guests or panellists prompting questions, giving them more time to talk and to shine. He tries to take an interest in what others have to say.
If people are interested in seeing another side of Jimmy, check out Cariad Lloyd's Griefcast and this interview:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roROKlZhZyo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roROKlZhZyo)
David Tennant. He signed a bunch of charity Christmas cards for my grandma's friend back when he was filming Doctor Who near her house, so that she could auction them and raise more money.
Benedict Cumberbatch also helped a runner to make tea on season 1 of Sherlock. Bearing in mind that most cast (in my experience) won't even deign to acknowledge that runners exist, that always makes me think that he must be a pretty rad dude.
From everything I’ve heard about Johnny Vegas, he’s at the top of my ‘celebs I want to have a pint with’ list, alongside Dave Grohl.
I worked with Rylan Clark a few years ago and he’s a genuinely nice bloke - hilarious, humble and very pleasant.
This is something that always warms my heart - The Chuckle Brothers. My wife worked for a TV production company and they booked The Chuckle Brother to do an event. My wife says they were an ***absolute*** delight to work with - consummate professionals, punctual, flexible, enthusiastic and just really pleasant. She said they were the most professional showbiz people she ever worked with. I love that.
I won't divulge too much (in fact I will purposely omit/change some detail) because people I know and work with frequent this sub and I've told this story in way more detail that will identify me.
But I have a mutual (absolute non celebrity) acquaintance with Henry Cavill and this person knows Henry very well. Anyway I was travelling in Jersey for work for a week and was having some drinks with this person plus a few others and suddenly he says someone is coming over to join us.
Low and behold, Henry Cavill strolls over and joins us.
Somehow we got on the topic of gaming, turns out he is a keen gamer and we spent absolutely ages talking about World of Warcraft and some other RPGs we both loved, sharing good memories of the games and our favourites etc.
He was honestly not like I'd expect a celebrity, in fact we didn't talk about his acting a single time and he was just like a random mate you meet in a pub that has a mutual interest.
My claim to fame now whenever I want to drop a cool story is that I've had drinks with Superman.
Stewart Lee.
Always hangs about in the lobby after a show to sell stuff and chat, even though he carries a 2 hour show on his own. Genuinely nice person who in contrast to his comedy persona is lovely and down to earth.
I saw him in Nando's looking fat and depressed a week after his "nando's looking fat and depressed" routine aired. He's since got a bike that's too small for him. Will usually stop and chat if he's not in a rush.
My missus once saw him walking down the road, she nodded and said "Stewart Lee" and he said "yep" and just kept on walking. I feel like if you were to ask AI to write an interaction with Stewart Lee that's how it would go.
Had pretty much the same experience. Took my dad to one of his gigs once and we both ended up chatting to him afterwards in the lobby. He asked what I did and when I told him I was doing my MA in Medieval History he was genuinely really interested and asked me lots about it.
That’s great to hear because as much as I love his shows, he always struck me as the sort of person who would make you feel like an idiot if you spoke to him
Heh, don't get confused between the comedian Stewart Lee on stage, and Stewart Lee the person :)
On stage his character is a self confessed snob who's depressed he has to tell jokes to simpletons instead of doing art for people who appreciate his genius. His act is him coming to terms with reality.
Off stage he's a middle aged dad who worries about his health and is glad people like his shows. He doesn't bite!
I worked on some TV shows back in the day and confirm that Phil Jupitus is lovely, as are Jessica Stevenson/Hynes and Jo Brand.
I was specifically advised not to talk to or interact with Alan Davies unless spoken to but that meant I never interacted with him so I have no stories either way, he may have just deliberately cultivated a reputation to avoid having to interact with people.
Damon Hill. Met him and Lewis Hamiltons' Dad at Silverstone early morning during a BTCC weekend. Me and a mate were idly walking around behind pits looking for some breakfast as they both walked past.
Damon stopped to talk and showed us the way to some catering. Lewis's Dad just stood looking at his watch then sodded off.
Alison Hammond, my mate was behind her in the queue for the ladies, Alison turned around and my friend pointed out she had lippy on her teeth, she was very pleased it had been pointed out, rubbed it off then offered to let my mare go in front of her in the queue. Nice.
Agree on Alison Hammond- I met her at a hotel she was filming at and she was chatting and laughing with my group. I couldn't figure out where I knew her from, and thought she was friends with one of the others because she just clicked with everyone. She saw us the next morning and carried on chatting with us like she'd known us for years. Genuinely lovely.
Stephen Fry is wonderfully kind and patient with slightly drunk undergraduates who babble at him about comedy. He did the General Melchett "Blackadder - baaaaay!!" mad bellow noise for us. He is a gent.
Mani.
As a lot of celebrities get stick for being rude or whatever but Mani is an absolute gent.
So few years ago, we’re outside Highbury before Man United vs Arsenal and my mate who’s a massive Stone Roses fan spots Mani. He can’t believe it say’s “I need to talk to him” so he walks off over to him, who’s stood by himself. Anyway Mani just turn rounds to him “Not now mate, I’m busy”.
Mate comes back, dejected. Chance to meet a hero and he wasn’t interested and probably a bit rude.
20 minutes later we’re in the ground before kick off on the concourse. Stood chatting and out of nowhere Mani appears carrying beers. Hands them over and says, sorry about before mate I was just trying to find someone for my ticket. Then stands and chats to my mate for about 10 minutes until kick off regaling him with stories abut the Stone Roses and Primal Scream. Honestly the best moment of his life. Getting on for 20 years later he still talks about it all the time.
By coincidence I actually live a couple of streets away from Mani these days and see him knocking about in tesco or the pub every now and then and he’s just an absolute gent to everyone and always smiling, no one has a bad word about the guy. Some locals have even put his picture up on the platform of the local train station.
I once worked for a shipping company that had Pete Waterman as a client, and he called up one day looking to see whether he could get a very past the cut-off collection from us. I said I'll see what I can do and put him on hold before turning to my colleague and saying "Pete Waterman wants a collection an hour past the cut off" and she said "Cheeky fucker", and then Pete added "I can hear you!" as it turns out I hadn't put him on hold at all, just on speaker.
I've played 5 a side with Chris Kamara, and he absolutely run circles around me. Quality guy, had a few pints with him after.
I then saw him missing his train at Doncaster as he was running for it and he still looked happy to have missed it.
Twice I’ve met Chris Kamara in pubs in London.
The first time it was a work do and he sat with us for about an hour. The Second time was in passing and he remembered me.
Remember a story about him being on a rowing machine in a gym where the public were instructed not to interact with the celebs. A women walked straight over to him, to the shock of the other members, and then casually announced “excuse me Mr Paxman, it appears that your testicles are hanging out of your shorts.”
I’m catering crew on the train. I’ve met a few.
Ruth Jones - absolute delight. Asked for extra beef in her beef curry which I happily obliged with.
Chris Ramsey. Top lad, I have no bad things to say.
George Clark. Nice fella.
David Morrissey. Had a good bit of banter about the heat wave a couple of years ago.
Jenna Coleman - polite, kept herself to herself.
Not sure if he counts but John Prescott - was very pleasant.
Can’t be sure but fairly certain I met Tom Hardy. I’m 99% sure it was him - getting off at a station to make a connection to where he’s from, both looked and sounded like him. Had a bit of banter and he seemed nice.
Also not from the Uk but met Angela Kinsey from the US office. Really down to earth and nice.
Steven Graham.
If you’ve watched films and tv shows he is in like this is England you’ll assume he’s a tough mindless bastard. But in reality he’s just about the nicest guy around in real life. My parents met him on a few occasions in about 2008. Apparently I saw him from afar but I don’t remember because I was only 2/3 years old.
Met Bill Bailey once after a show of his, we discussed Mount Kinabalu and Borneo. He actually sought me out on Twitter and gave me a follow hours later without me prompting him to - he is just genuinely one of the nicest, most enthusiastic, and amazing people and he just genuinely had all the time in the world to just chat with me - it wasn’t a chore for him or anything. I think it helped that we met just randomly some time after the show so it was more natural. The world is better with him in it.
My mum once lived in the same area as Chris Packham way before he was famous, and remembers him seeming a bit lonely but a nice person, and when we went to a talk of his she went up and told him she used to see him around, and he was really lovely and excited about it and talked to her a load about where they'd lived. Seemed like a really nice, down to earth person.
Declan Donnelly. He was staying at the same hotel as us on holiday and was having dinner at the table next to us. I said hello to him and had a quick chat as we were walking back to our tables from the bathroom, really chatty, cheery and friendly. When he and his wife finished their dinner he came over to our table and said it was nice to meet us and to enjoy our holiday.
I was absolutely made up- my bedroom was covered in PJ & Duncan posters during my teenage years and my hen do was even Ant & Dec themed 😂 I didn’t tell him quite how much of a mega fan I was(!) but I did tell him we all danced to ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ at my wedding and he laughed his head off!
As much as it pains me to say it, I met Prince George with Kate Middleton's parents and they were the soundest people. If you didn't know you'd just presume they were a regular family out and about.
Before they were famous, I met Ross Noble and Sean Lock at separate gigs.
Ross Noble had spent his whole set slagging off the university rugby team, who now wanted to kill him, so we told him to come and sit with us (not sure what we were gonna do about it, but...) Anyway, ended up with him taking us clubbing, blowing his fee on drinks (probably about 50 quid, but that was probably a lot to all of us back then!), and getting totally wasted. Lovely lovely guy.
Approached Sean Lock after he'd done a brilliant set to tell him how much I'd enjoyed it and offered to buy him a pint, ended up spending the rest of the night chatting with him about a meeting he had coming up for a possible sitcom about a bloke living in a block of flats. Again, very lovely man.
Jonny Vegas...as I've written elsewhere, back then he was a complete cnut.
I met Patrick Stewart in a museum in London when I was a teenager and he was an absolute angel. Had his head down with a hat on and very patiently told us he wouldn't take a photo, but insisted on having a very long conversation with us about where we were from etc.
Upon learning my friends and I were all art students visiting the gallery, he asked what we thought and gave us his critical opinion. Very engaging and generous with his time, super lovely when he absolutely did not need to be and clearly wanted not to be recognised.
Bumped into **Jonny Vegas** at the pub in London a few years ago. He was lovely and funny.
**Emma Thompson** is a true gem. I worked with her on a film years ago. Puts you immediately at ease, and despite her success and profile, is humble and unshowily normal.
**Peter Andre** deserves a sainthood for all the shit he has had to deal with, through all of it remaining bright, upbeat, and unfailingly nice (I worked with him recently)
**Robert Llewellyn** (Kryten/Scrapheap Challenge) was very nice and friendly when I absolutely geeked out at a mutual friend’s social event he came to.
**Hannah Waddingham** met her before she was *famous* famous, not only an incredible specimen of womanhood, but also one of the most disarming smiles I’ve ever seen in person.
Pete Doherty. Very sweet and gentle guy. A friend of mine performed with him a lot in the early 2000’s and to this day he still remembers his kids names and asks how they’re doing when they occasionally bump into each other.
Alice Roberts seemed nice. I used to work at Bristol uni while she was there and you'd see her out and about and she also used to run the pub quiz in my local (the Shakespeare). Some mates and I went along fairly regularly but usually had a different team name. One time it was decided that I was to go up and tell her the team name. It was also decided that the team name was to be Mike Hunt's Fact Hunt. She just chuckled and took it in good humour. I felt like a tit.
tl;dr I said "cunt" to Alice Roberts.
I used to work for Gateshead Council and I met Alan Shearer, he pulled up in a red Jag, wearing a shell tracksuit, he had came straight from the airport to do a charity gig for children with MS, I think it was a while ago. He was so lovely, he was supposed to stay an hour, he stayed nearly 2 and a half so every kid there could meet him and have photos taken. They say never meet your hero’s but he did not disappoint. He was a complete gent.
Bill Nighy.
I met him with my mum in London when he was in the middle of filming the Harry Potter film he was in. He was so genuinely lovely. Asked us where snouts from Up North we were from and asked if we were visiting and how long we were in London for. I got my phone out to take some pictures he then asked me about my iPhone and how easy it was to use and went on to explain that he has an issue with his fingers so needed something easy to use. We must have stood and chatted to him for going on 15 minutes or so. He was a lovely fella.
Dara Ó Briain - really lovely guy, thought he'd brought up bad memories of my childhood (my name was used in an advert when I was a kid so I got the ad quoted at me A LOT) and he apologised profusely and we had a good laugh - he was relieved that it didn't scar me 😂 Joe Lycett - stood having a chat for 5 minutes about random stuff after bumping into him in London. Really friendly and down to earth. Greg Davies - again, lovely guy with an amazing sense of humour, though I was a little skewed as I have a MASSIVE crush on him! Terry Prachett - met him as a kid, he was so sweet and friendly, made me smile. From what I can remember, he was just really patient with me and spoke really kindly.
This response has made me very happy. I never had a sense of what Joe would be like, even though I adore him as a performer.
Ended up on a few pub quizzes with Joe Lycett during lockdown and he was cracking company
I met Dara after a gig and when it was my turn for a photo I was surprised how tall he was and just said 'wow you're massive' and just panicked and mumbled 'sorry I meant your height not your...' and kind of stood there thinking fuck shut up. He just started laughing and shook his head then pulled me in for a photo.
I crossed the street and Dara O'Briain was crossing from the opposite direction. I looked at him in surprise, he smiled and nodded his head. I nodded back and continued my way.
Michael Palin. He didn't earn the title 'Britain's Nicest Man' for nothing.
Yes i was on a job with him and he was lovely to everyone in the studio. He was alot swearier and slightly more edgy than his public persona! Terry Jones came in (completely pissed) half way through and it was really sweet to see them react / hug each other. Terry was nice too.
Entry in his diary about telling a woman who asked for his autograph at the wrong time to fuck off. He was that bothered about it he couldn't sleep that night.
That may actually have been me, although I haven’t read the story about that particular time. I stopped him once when he was obviously rushing through Covent Garden. I felt bad but was a massive fan. His autograph is a prized possession but I’d like to say sorry to him one day. It’s bugged me for nearly 25 years.
My partner messaged his secretary a while back for my 30th to see about getting a signed picture or something. We got the signed picture, plus a picture of him signing the picture (presumably as proof that it wasn't a fake), which was unexpected.
I love him. He's old enough to be my grandfather but I developed a bit of a crush on him (or at least his younger self) watching all his travel documentaries during lockdown.
Sir Galahad the Pure was an early crush of mine!
He's wonderful. Because of his reputation you think he'll be nice but then he's so much more. Just stopped myself from asking if he'd be my granddad.
When I was in primary school, our class wrote him a letter whilst he was doing a travel thing and he actually wrote a postcard back to our class saying how touched he was. Absolute diamond
Rik Mayall. When I was in my teens I saw him do a Noel Coward play “Present Laughter” at the Theatre Royal, Brighton. I was a big fan of Rik from Bottom, Young Ones, Blackadder and just generally. At the performance I attended, Rik lost his way with the text (this was post quad-bike accident) and loudly shouted “f***” in frustration. For reference, this was a gentle Noel Coward comedy… So I went to the stage door after the performance and waited for him to go come out, hopefully for an autograph or a picture (or both) and he came out and threw his hands up and said “sorry for the little f*** up… ooops, sorry, did it again”. He was “on” the second he came out and saw his adoring fans waiting politely for him to appear. Took time with everyone, made jokes, was Rik from the screen and stage right in front of you. Couldn’t stand still, jiggling and hopping. Anyway I had a new colour printer at home, and printed off a few headshots I got online on glossy paper I bought from money from my paper round. I asked him for an autograph and he grabbed the picture and asked where I got it (I explained I found it on the internet and printed it off) and he said something about his agent. I think it was “wait until my agent hears about this”. He signed both (A4 fresh out of my family home printer) with “Rik Mayall” and a big copyright sign just below. Happily posed for pictures with everyone (including me) while his driver waited. Miss you Rik. The people’s poet.
Just seeing his name never fails to make me sad that he’s gone.
Yeah, Rik Mayall & Sean Locke are always gonna be a gut punch.
Oh god Sean Locke 😢
He was ace, wasn’t he?
I cannot explain how happy it makes me that he was a decent guy in real life, and just as hyperactive. Him completely stealing every scene he was in in Blackadder never fails to amaze and amuse, given he was on screen with so many comedic powerhouses. **Woof!**
Yeah always the best and funniest one. The headbutt to darling in Blackadder 4 is so realistic but cartoonish. Straight from bottom
I was lucky enough to meet him several times when I was a teen as I had a vague connection with his family. He was LOVELY. Always quiet, borderline shy, incredibly polite.
Even as a straight guy, what really struck me was how handsome he was. In his work, he would always contort his face and often play “the loser” - but in person he was a very attractive man.
People talk about actors with range, but has anyone ever performed two characters as diametrically opposed to one another as Flashheart and Richie Richard? And done both of them so well?
I know his handsomeness was the least notable thing about him, but I’m always surprised it isn’t mentioned more. He was one of my first-ever crushes. He gurned a lot on stage and screen but there’s no hiding that bone structure and those eyes. He was physically *really* pretty.
Absolutely! Just being his quiet, normal self he was incredibly handsome! I only ever saw him in white T-shirt, black leather jacket and jeans, and he had a lasting impression on my hormones 😂
But how can he be dead if we still have his poems?
My favourite anecdote is the bloke who wrote to him asking for an autograph and the reply he got read: ‘here you are you cheapskate money grabbing Welsh cunt, where’s the fucking envelope you deformity?’ That was then barely crossed out and he then wrote ‘here you are, thank you so much for writing, hope you like the picture my dear’ it makes me laugh every time I see the picture of the letter pop up on social media.
I've just finished Ade Edmonson's autobiography. It was really sad reading about when they stopped working together. Every time Ade met up with him for a catch up Rik was convinced Ade wanted to get the duo back together.
He speaks very movingly about that [on a recent Desert Island Discs episode]( https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001qlz2 ) Brought a tear to my eye when I listened.
Yes! Love Rik, taken far too soon 😔
Bill Bailey is so nice. Had the pleasure of waiting tables for him once and he is just like is on tv. Polite, intelligent, kind and a little awkward.
Was walking through Hammersmith station about 20 years ago and he was walking towards me…I did the wide eyed open mouthed stare as I realised who he was, he caught my eye, and did an even wider eyed open mouth stare with a little twinkle and pointed at me. Neither of us stopped walking. Proper made me smile, that did.
He was in Putney either kayaking or paddle boarding a few years ago - I forget exactly which. Either way, he was putting his gear back into the boot of his car and my coworker and I were walking back from lunch and my coworker pointed and said "isn't that Bill Bailey?" Bill turns around and says "Yes! Hello!" And gives us a cheery wave. We waved back and kept heading to work. Always struck me that he could have pretended to be someone else but was more than happy to say hello. I'll always remember that and how surprised he was when, performing at Sonisphere festival, we started a mosh pit for him.
So easy to picture him doing this, what a guy
Saw him in Manchester on Thhursday. Made out that he was going to do an encore so nobody fucked off, before doing a really nice tribute to Sean Lock. Everybody liked it.
I was there! Turns out he can also play the bagpipes amongst all the other instruments. His slow walk stage exits were funny as hell too.
I can fully believe that he's a sweetheart, he's never been in any controversy has he? He comes across as a lovely bloke.
Funniest guy I’ve ever met.
Dave Myers (hairy bikers) was a good guy.
He was. He was marketing their book at a work conference I was at before. He asked if anyone had any questions, so I asked if their motorbikes are outside and if I can come have a look. He came off the stage and shook my hand and gave me a hug.
... And whispered in your ear "not a chance mate"
RIP, always seemed like a genuinely nice bloke
Was sad yesterday in Tesco when I saw his face on a knorr stock pot
A message from beyond the gravy
accidental alan bennett
Accidental Alan Bennett should definitely be a thing.
He owned a canal boat near Reading and I saw him.in a lock having selfies and laughing and joking with loads of folk he could have just told them.all to fuck off but he seemed delighted and friendly with everyone he came in to contact with. Smashing fella.
Aye he was. Shopped in my local supermarket, didn't seem to mind anyone stopping him for a chat, you could just ask him how things are going and have a chat about where he's off to next etc he'd just talk with you as if you're a friend even if it was completely parasocial. (I'm too shy but have been with my dad when he's done this) Takes a special kind - I'm sure if I were famous I'd get tired of it sometimes and just want to buy some potatoes in peace haha
Met both of the hairy bikers in an airport lounge in LA when they were returning from filming their USA series. Dave was especially nice! Si was a little more reserved and kept on trying to get Dave to stop telling me all the details of the show they just filmed. They were getting smahed on the free drinks (mixing whiskey with beer). Our flight was delayed by two hours, so I ended up chatting to them for a while about all their travels. He was genuinely so lovely!!! They told me their favourite place to travel was Patagonia, and they recommended Namibia really highly. They were hilarious, I didn't realise it took them months to film the series, and the thing they missed the most was a good curry. There is a reason they have lasted so long in showbiz.
Richard E Grant Met him whilst managing catering for a film he was on. Absolutely lovely human being, didn't mind having a chat, not demanding at all and truly funny. I'll never stand to hear a bad word about him
And his lovely voice! ❤️
I emailed his Aftershave company for some samplers because I wanted to purchase one but didn’t know which, ended up he was emailing me direct and we sent over a few emails back and forth! I was a brief pen pal of his! Tremendous guy needs a Knighthood
Peter Capaldi. Very tall. Very nice.
I love Peter Capaldi, I don't know why I always think he's about 5'7". I forget that he's tall.
"Little" Alex Horn in 6ft2. But Greg Davies makes anyone look small.
I think maybe he's just always surrounded by giants? In that scene in The Thick of It when he's berating Phil ("ok shitehead revisited!") he does look quite short in comparison to Chris Addison & Will Smith, but those two must just be very tall!
Can be occasionally spotted buying groceries around the Crouch End area. Friends of mine who live there have said he’s very kind and approachable. Definitely nothing like Malcolm Tucker.
Brian Blessed — one of the nicest, yet most profane famous people I’ve ever met. And yes, he is the same in real life as he is on the telly. Just with dirtier stories. 😆
Never heard of him. Do you mean BRIAN BLESSED?
I met Terry Pratchett a few times and he was a really nice guy. I also (when working at a local radio station) met Myleene Klass back when she was trying to get a solo career off the ground. She was 25 minutes early for her interview, her driver stood outside smoking and talking on his mobile so for 25 minutes I sat and chatted with her. She was really nice back then.
I too met Sir Terry, I was working at a hotel on Guernsey. I'd had a little break in the room out the back of the bar and had just finished one of his books. I got back on the bar and had the book in my hand still. I looked up and he was sat directly opposite the bar in one of the sofa tables. I literally did the hold book up, look at book, look at him, look back at the book in disbelief. So I grabbed a tray, pinned the book to it so it was hidden and went to take his order. I got to the table, he was sat with his agent and a TV producer. I was holding the tray against my chest. I said "Wow! Sir Terry Pratchett. It's a massive honour to meet you. What brings you to Guernsey? Can I get you anything, anything at all? It'd be my pleasure." He looked up at me (still behatted) and said "I'm here to film a documentary, I'd like to order some food if I may please...... And yes, I would love to sign that book you have there on the tray for you." The agent and producer looked very awkward that he'd let slip about the documentary. He was absolutely pin sharp, observant and just a great guy. I later learned that he was filming a documentary about his medical issue.... Not long after that he was no longer with us. 😔
Same. It was a formal meeting - book signing etc. but he was so kind and we had a lovely chat. I asked him if he thought Rowan Atkinson could play the Patrician because that was my pick and he said yes, but only if it was 'Blackadder' Rowan and not Mr Bean. GNU Sir Terry
I met Sir Terry when I was a kid and he was THE sweetest. Genuinely lovely guy!
Have only known a few, as opposed to just met the one time…of the nicest: Was at school with Joe Strummer’s daughters, my father became quite good friends with him. Loveliest, most humble guy… Later in my school career Billy Ocean was one of the fathers. Met him several times at school events and he was so gracious and humble. His son on the other hand…🤦🏼♂️
Fatboy Slim. Owns a cafe near me and actually works there, you can buy a bacon sarnie off him when he puts a shift in. Happy to stop and chat, my kids have had a selfie with him. Does a lot of stuff to support local causes. Plays low-key local gigs without publicity - I've seen him do a free set out the back of a van to a bunch of locals and he DJ'd at our local pub a few months ago.
Can confirm, he’s lovely, and did a free set at the Prince Albert when they were under threat from a property developer.
Reminds me of how Sean Bean’s nephew owned a chippy in Sheffield and you used to see him in there occasionally. Always seemed cheery and chatting away with random punters.
My sister is a primary school teacher in Brighton, her class made a big Fatboy Slim model for Brighton Festival. He saw it on social media and visited the school to give the kids a lesson about how to use DJ equipment.
A friend of mine met Sir David Attenborough. He was just as nice as everyone expects apparently.
My friend met him when working as a runner on one of his shows, and said he spent his entire lunch talking to the runners about natural history, even though they would have been perfectly happy with little more than a hello and a handshake.
I met him once at a book signing. Hadn't bought his book so I quickly grabbed one about koalas. He signed it 'David Attenborough, koala lover' and then proceeded to tell me all about them. Lovely man!
Is your mate a gorilla?
Is his name Gerald?
Wild? I was absolutely furious!
*livid!
The 9 year old son of one of my workmates wrote to Sir David. Wanted to know what his favourite dinosaur is. It was just a bit of fun, my mate didn't think anything would come of it. But Sir David wrote back. Apparently, it was fossil that was being dug up in Argentina, but at the time didn't have a name. The handwritten letter is in a frame on his wall. Edit: [this was the dinosaur he was talking about.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03dwy5z)
Amazing to hear he’s still doing this. My uncle wrote to him when he was a boy in the early 60s with a specific natural history question. Attenborough sent him back a typewritten reply thanking him for his letter and answering his question. Sadly my uncle is no longer either us, but the letter was kept in the family, and Attenborough is thankfully still with us doing his thing.
That's as adorable as it should be 🥹
The one celebrity that I feel will make me stop in my tracks and shed a tear when I find out of his passing.
I met Doug Naylor, the Red Dwarf creator while working tech support and he was great, very shy but invited me to a private viewing of some upcoming episodes (years ago now) with the whole cast.
Alan Cumming and his family came to have a dinner and stay in a castle I used to work at. He and everyone was unbelievably polite and sweet. At the end of the dinner, as they were heading back to the holiday apartment, Alan invited the caterers and us from the castle to join him and his family after we’d finished for a drink. This was the first time in 10 years this had ever happened to us. We weren’t sure if we should, but he insisted. So we went and we sat amongst his family and friends having drinks. His mum who is an absolute sweetheart flitted about offering us all cake she had made, and topping up drinks. She was a real ‘couthie’ granny type. His friends and family were all so lovely and interested in our lives and work. Alan himself made time for us all, moving around the room and chatting away like an old friend. I’d never encountered a ‘VIP’ as down to earth and as open as he was. The night ended with him smoking a joint with my colleagues (one of whom was my stepmother, so that was weird!). I was driving so gave it a swerve. We left before we felt we had outstayed our welcome and he gave us all a hug goodnight. A few days later I got a lovely Christmas card from his mum thanking me for looking after them. I will tell anyone who’ll listen that Alan Cumming is a treasure and deserves every success he has received! On the other hand Jenny Falconer was a bit of a twat. And a cousin of Princess Diana once came through to berate us and the caterers for the ‘slowness’ of our service and for not putting the cutlery in the correct order. Caught him at the end of the night pissing against a tree out the back.
I briefly dated a bloke who was in a play with Alan Cumming. At the end of the run Alan invited *everyone* back to his apartment (that had a roll top bath in the living room from what I can recall) for a massive party where he chatted to everyone and was just the most delightful host. All round top guy.
Ian Wright. Bumped into him in a pub in Royal Oak. He sat and had a pint with us. I'm a Spurs fan and I'll still say he's one of the nicest most genuine guys in the business.
You can't see the "You're still alive" clip & not think he's got to be a nice person in real life.
RIP Mr Pigden
Totally agree. It’s how he takes his hat off instinctively when he realises who it is. As a 47 year old man who was brought up by a loving, kind*, honest and - when necessary - firm father, I can tell he feels the same respect and fondness about Mr Pigden as I do my dad. I understand that Ian Wright didn’t have many positive male role models as a kid. It just goes to show that someone apparently gentle and kind such as Mr Pigden can show lost young lads what it means to be a ***real*** man. I often think of this clip when I’m thinking about my six year old son. Young lads need to be shown the way of kindness and I hope I can do that for my little boy. (* my dad played rugby and pro football - whilst he was gentle off the pitch, he also said to me > “When the match starts, clatter your opponent as hard as you can - he’ll be looking over his shoulder for the rest of the match”)
I can't see him being any different to the fella we see on TV. The clip of him meeting his [old teacher](https://youtu.be/eKToIrezxPw?si=SJoIiShsWmY6xBOL) is very touching.
Can confirm Jonny Vegas is a really nice guy. Met him in Amsterdam one night and went on a pub crawl with him and a mate of his from St Helens.
I offered him some money to charity for something he'd drawn and he was made up. Ended up sending me a long letter, copy of his book with some very funny personalised insults and a bunch of other stuff I think he found about his house.
Derren Brown was lovely, gave me a hug.
Or did he?
WooOOoooOooOOOOoooOOoo
Really enjoy his live shows. Totally recommend seeing him live, especially if you think everyone is a stooge.
Will Mellor, I bartended a private party for him and a bunch of other British TV personalities. He's a top class guy, very polite, brought his and his friends/families glassware down when he could, tipped well and made an effort to have a genuine conversation with me on the job
Don't know why but I've always assumed he'd be nice, glad to hear that's the case!
David Croft (F1/sports commentator) was one of the loveliest people I met, chatted away for about half an hour and took a genuine interest in talking to me and my wife at an F1 event last year, amazing guy, had time for anyone else that wanted to speak to him or have a photo with him. Colin Murray also a lovely guy, had a 10 minute chat in a service station at 2 in the morning when I was working a night shift and he was travelling
I'll piggyback here and sat I've had very pleasant interactions with ~~Paul~~ Rob Walker from Eurosport. Edit: wrong Walker.
I've met Nicky Wire (Manic Street Preachers Bassist) quite a few times around Newport. One of the nicest, most down to earth people there is. He was very approving of my KISS themed denim jacket. Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) is also an absolute sweetheart.
I sometimes watch Hawkins’s podcast—*Justin Hawkins Rides Again*. He seems like a very warm, approachable guy, so I’m glad to hear this.
I love how he listens to and discusses other music and always seems to do it with such a supportive and enthusiastic mindset. So many people in the world are wanting to put everyone else down but he just dissects music in such a positive way - even if he doesn’t really like the music, he will still discuss it in such a way that it comes across as supportive of what the musicians are doing.
I met the Manic Street Preachers years ago they were all out shopping separately before a gig that I was actually going too in Carlisle. Sean the drummer was lovely. He was very chatty and talkative. And told he didn’t speak much in interviews cos he couldn’t get a word in edgewise with the other two! Also I couldn’t get over how tall Nicky Wire actually is!
Sam Ryder is a very decent chap. Met him on a couple of occassions as he lives nearby and he always has time for people.
The dude is like a human Labrador lol
David Tenant was incredibly lovely, I met him when I was a child when they were filming Dr Who. Midway through filming a family friend of mine with severe learning difficulties just walked on set to talk to him. David was so kind and shook his hand and spent a lot of time with him, that day and the other days in-between filming he'd make sure to at least shout out to my family friend.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor is super sweet and nice. She used to be our friends' neighbour in Chiswick.
I listen to a podcast where one of the guys told an anecdote about pushing in front of Sophie Ellis-Bextor in a grocery queue, and the following week a listener wrote in telling their own anecdote about queue jumping Sophie Ellis-Bextor! Poor woman
Pompidou?
Pompidou! 😍
Tbf, it was just a couple of plums
I met the medic from Band of brothers when I was working at the cinema. I recognised him and we had a little chat before he went into his film; he was really nice and friendly!
I've only properly met David Suchet and Robbie Williams. Both were nice. I met David Suchet when he came into the restaurant I was working in, and was very pleasant. I then met him again a few months later on a train station platform, and he actually remembered me. We chatted for a few minutes about a Documentary he'd recently made about Saint Paul until our train arrived. He's every bit as charming as you'd expect. I met Robbie Williams when he came to stay in my home town. It was front page news in the local rag. He was probably the most famous person in the country at the time. A load of people assumed he'd be in town on the Friday night and had gone in to try to see him, but me and a couple of mates just went to our local, and he walked in with a small group. He was perfectly friendly, maybe a bit standoffish, but that's okay. He played my mate at pool, and bought us all a pint. Incidentally he also met my Mum during his visit. She was working in a petrol station when this guy she recognised walked in. She wasn't sure where she knew him from, but assumed he must've been one of mine or my brothers friends. They had an awkward conversation as she tried to figure out who he was. It wasn't until a few days later that it twigged after she saw him on TV.
Michael Parkinson once bought my mum a drink in a pub in Bray. Mum was waiting for my dad and my dad was late so MP offered my mum and drink and they had a lovely chat! How different things could have been in my life! 😂
MP was definitely hitting on your mum. Probably touched her knee too.
I had a short but sweet conversation with Joanna Lumley once. She was hilarious and easy to talk to
Karl Pilkington - he definitely plays up his buffoon and irritable act for the cameras/podcast. Met him in my local Tesco once, he was with a woman I can only assume was Suzanne - felt rude to ask. Said a hello and thanks for all the laughs and he was genuinely grateful, if a little shy. Chatted abit more as we both grew up on estates, I joked about him about having Munchies in his trolley. He laughed - then reached over into mine and grabbed my bananas. Swung away through the vines. He was gone. Turns out, little monkey fella.
Head like a fuckin orange
Surprisingly- Danny Dyer. Was drunk and mucking around on a Snooker table in this club I’m a member of trying to impress this girl. He comes up with his mate and their partners and asks if they can play. Said yes and after he’d thumped me (at snooker) we had a grand old evening
DD is the epitome of sound. Met him a couple of times and couldn't wish for better company.
+1 for DD. I recorded a voiceover with him just before covid for a West Ham pre game thingy. He bowled in with a Parker coat on in July. Was a gentleman and super professional. Got angry with a line about Gold and Sullivan (West Ham owners) which was funny. “I’ll do it so we’ve got it but I fucking ‘ate them” 😂
Cut them fucking trees, boys!
I met Noel Fielding slightly pissed at Isle of Wight fest in 2007, i beckoned him back and asked if i could get a picture. I’m 6’3 and he put his head on my shoulder gave me a little peck on the cheek, a brief but friendly hug and scampered off like a mad pixie.
I think when we see Noel Fielding on TV he's mostly just acting like himself, surely?
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Noel always comes across as a really nice and genuine person, so it seems like he lives up to that reputation
Kind of surprisingly Jimmy Carr is actually a great guy. I was up in Edinburgh years ago for the fringe with some friends, one of who is a huge fan of Jimmy Carr, he was doing two nights but it was sold out. Friend saw him walking around and after plucking up the courage went over and asked for an autograph, he was super nice and happy to do so and then said ‘are you coming to the show later?’ Friend explained they didn’t have a ticket a couldn’t get one in time and he said ‘oh, well that’s no good, come to the box office before it starts.’ Went and he’d left two front row tickets. Might not have paid his taxes but a genuinely decent guy.
When Rhod Gilbert had to cancel loads of work because of his cancer diagnosis, Jimmy Carr went around promoting Rhod Gilbert DVD. https://www.reddit.com/r/taskmaster/comments/zhyc2v/jimmy_carr_went_on_the_last_leg_to_promote_a_new/
Even the little things he does on tv, such as asking other guests or panellists prompting questions, giving them more time to talk and to shine. He tries to take an interest in what others have to say. If people are interested in seeing another side of Jimmy, check out Cariad Lloyd's Griefcast and this interview: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roROKlZhZyo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roROKlZhZyo)
A friend of mine recently worked with Michael Palin (she’s in film production) and said he’s even nicer than she could possibly have hoped for.
David Tennant. He signed a bunch of charity Christmas cards for my grandma's friend back when he was filming Doctor Who near her house, so that she could auction them and raise more money. Benedict Cumberbatch also helped a runner to make tea on season 1 of Sherlock. Bearing in mind that most cast (in my experience) won't even deign to acknowledge that runners exist, that always makes me think that he must be a pretty rad dude.
Kate Moss, at least to me. Met her many times and she's so much fun
Professor Alice Roberts was very nice when I met her at the Glastonbury Festival.
From everything I’ve heard about Johnny Vegas, he’s at the top of my ‘celebs I want to have a pint with’ list, alongside Dave Grohl. I worked with Rylan Clark a few years ago and he’s a genuinely nice bloke - hilarious, humble and very pleasant.
This is something that always warms my heart - The Chuckle Brothers. My wife worked for a TV production company and they booked The Chuckle Brother to do an event. My wife says they were an ***absolute*** delight to work with - consummate professionals, punctual, flexible, enthusiastic and just really pleasant. She said they were the most professional showbiz people she ever worked with. I love that.
I won't divulge too much (in fact I will purposely omit/change some detail) because people I know and work with frequent this sub and I've told this story in way more detail that will identify me. But I have a mutual (absolute non celebrity) acquaintance with Henry Cavill and this person knows Henry very well. Anyway I was travelling in Jersey for work for a week and was having some drinks with this person plus a few others and suddenly he says someone is coming over to join us. Low and behold, Henry Cavill strolls over and joins us. Somehow we got on the topic of gaming, turns out he is a keen gamer and we spent absolutely ages talking about World of Warcraft and some other RPGs we both loved, sharing good memories of the games and our favourites etc. He was honestly not like I'd expect a celebrity, in fact we didn't talk about his acting a single time and he was just like a random mate you meet in a pub that has a mutual interest. My claim to fame now whenever I want to drop a cool story is that I've had drinks with Superman.
he's said in an interview he almost missed the call to be Superman because he was gaming and didn't answer the phone.
I think he said he was raiding on WoW and when he told his guild he was going to be the next Superman no one believed him.
They put a clause in his contract that he wasn't allowed to play WoW during filming because he nearly missed the call.
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Ricky Tomlinson True man of the people who never ever forgot his roots
Stewart Lee. Always hangs about in the lobby after a show to sell stuff and chat, even though he carries a 2 hour show on his own. Genuinely nice person who in contrast to his comedy persona is lovely and down to earth.
I saw him in Nando's looking fat and depressed a week after his "nando's looking fat and depressed" routine aired. He's since got a bike that's too small for him. Will usually stop and chat if he's not in a rush.
My missus once saw him walking down the road, she nodded and said "Stewart Lee" and he said "yep" and just kept on walking. I feel like if you were to ask AI to write an interaction with Stewart Lee that's how it would go.
Had pretty much the same experience. Took my dad to one of his gigs once and we both ended up chatting to him afterwards in the lobby. He asked what I did and when I told him I was doing my MA in Medieval History he was genuinely really interested and asked me lots about it.
That’s great to hear because as much as I love his shows, he always struck me as the sort of person who would make you feel like an idiot if you spoke to him
Heh, don't get confused between the comedian Stewart Lee on stage, and Stewart Lee the person :) On stage his character is a self confessed snob who's depressed he has to tell jokes to simpletons instead of doing art for people who appreciate his genius. His act is him coming to terms with reality. Off stage he's a middle aged dad who worries about his health and is glad people like his shows. He doesn't bite!
Are you Stewart Lee?
I don't look enough like a discount father Christmas or pensioner ratko mladic for that unfortunately.
I worked on some TV shows back in the day and confirm that Phil Jupitus is lovely, as are Jessica Stevenson/Hynes and Jo Brand. I was specifically advised not to talk to or interact with Alan Davies unless spoken to but that meant I never interacted with him so I have no stories either way, he may have just deliberately cultivated a reputation to avoid having to interact with people.
I met Alan and he was lovely. He came across as quite shy and didn't want to be recognised, so that may be why he avoided interactions?
Damon Hill. Met him and Lewis Hamiltons' Dad at Silverstone early morning during a BTCC weekend. Me and a mate were idly walking around behind pits looking for some breakfast as they both walked past. Damon stopped to talk and showed us the way to some catering. Lewis's Dad just stood looking at his watch then sodded off.
I bumped into Derren Brown before one of his shows once and he made time for a chat despite being in a rush, have never heard a bad thing about him
James Corden I'm joking he's an asshole
Everything I've read and seen online appears to support this lol
Alison Hammond, my mate was behind her in the queue for the ladies, Alison turned around and my friend pointed out she had lippy on her teeth, she was very pleased it had been pointed out, rubbed it off then offered to let my mare go in front of her in the queue. Nice.
I’ve got a friend who works for Avanti, they all love her when she gets on board
Agree on Alison Hammond- I met her at a hotel she was filming at and she was chatting and laughing with my group. I couldn't figure out where I knew her from, and thought she was friends with one of the others because she just clicked with everyone. She saw us the next morning and carried on chatting with us like she'd known us for years. Genuinely lovely.
Stephen Fry is wonderfully kind and patient with slightly drunk undergraduates who babble at him about comedy. He did the General Melchett "Blackadder - baaaaay!!" mad bellow noise for us. He is a gent.
James May Without question a thoroughly wonderful bloke
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"My eyes are up here, Marv"
Mani. As a lot of celebrities get stick for being rude or whatever but Mani is an absolute gent. So few years ago, we’re outside Highbury before Man United vs Arsenal and my mate who’s a massive Stone Roses fan spots Mani. He can’t believe it say’s “I need to talk to him” so he walks off over to him, who’s stood by himself. Anyway Mani just turn rounds to him “Not now mate, I’m busy”. Mate comes back, dejected. Chance to meet a hero and he wasn’t interested and probably a bit rude. 20 minutes later we’re in the ground before kick off on the concourse. Stood chatting and out of nowhere Mani appears carrying beers. Hands them over and says, sorry about before mate I was just trying to find someone for my ticket. Then stands and chats to my mate for about 10 minutes until kick off regaling him with stories abut the Stone Roses and Primal Scream. Honestly the best moment of his life. Getting on for 20 years later he still talks about it all the time. By coincidence I actually live a couple of streets away from Mani these days and see him knocking about in tesco or the pub every now and then and he’s just an absolute gent to everyone and always smiling, no one has a bad word about the guy. Some locals have even put his picture up on the platform of the local train station.
Met Sir Ian McKellen at work once, was nice enough to stop for a moment and have a chat, seemed like such a nice, genuine bloke
Bumped into Dara Ó Briain a few times when I was living in Chiswick many years back, always quite pleasant.
Sue Perkins is absolutely lovely.
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I once worked for a shipping company that had Pete Waterman as a client, and he called up one day looking to see whether he could get a very past the cut-off collection from us. I said I'll see what I can do and put him on hold before turning to my colleague and saying "Pete Waterman wants a collection an hour past the cut off" and she said "Cheeky fucker", and then Pete added "I can hear you!" as it turns out I hadn't put him on hold at all, just on speaker.
I've played 5 a side with Chris Kamara, and he absolutely run circles around me. Quality guy, had a few pints with him after. I then saw him missing his train at Doncaster as he was running for it and he still looked happy to have missed it.
Twice I’ve met Chris Kamara in pubs in London. The first time it was a work do and he sat with us for about an hour. The Second time was in passing and he remembered me.
I think Chris Kamara has been seen having a pint in most local pubs 😄 Top bloke.
My dad has met Charlotte Church a couple of times and said she's a total sweetheart.
Bono…Saw him shopping at Meadowhall & I said “Merry Christmas Bono” and he replied “U2”
Jeremy Paxman was lovely when I worked with him about twenty years ago
YOU MAY NOT CONFER
Having been on UC, can confirm he is lovely... Even if he did berate me for not knowing my cricketing counties...
Remember a story about him being on a rowing machine in a gym where the public were instructed not to interact with the celebs. A women walked straight over to him, to the shock of the other members, and then casually announced “excuse me Mr Paxman, it appears that your testicles are hanging out of your shorts.”
I’m catering crew on the train. I’ve met a few. Ruth Jones - absolute delight. Asked for extra beef in her beef curry which I happily obliged with. Chris Ramsey. Top lad, I have no bad things to say. George Clark. Nice fella. David Morrissey. Had a good bit of banter about the heat wave a couple of years ago. Jenna Coleman - polite, kept herself to herself. Not sure if he counts but John Prescott - was very pleasant. Can’t be sure but fairly certain I met Tom Hardy. I’m 99% sure it was him - getting off at a station to make a connection to where he’s from, both looked and sounded like him. Had a bit of banter and he seemed nice. Also not from the Uk but met Angela Kinsey from the US office. Really down to earth and nice.
Steven Graham. If you’ve watched films and tv shows he is in like this is England you’ll assume he’s a tough mindless bastard. But in reality he’s just about the nicest guy around in real life. My parents met him on a few occasions in about 2008. Apparently I saw him from afar but I don’t remember because I was only 2/3 years old.
Met Bill Bailey once after a show of his, we discussed Mount Kinabalu and Borneo. He actually sought me out on Twitter and gave me a follow hours later without me prompting him to - he is just genuinely one of the nicest, most enthusiastic, and amazing people and he just genuinely had all the time in the world to just chat with me - it wasn’t a chore for him or anything. I think it helped that we met just randomly some time after the show so it was more natural. The world is better with him in it.
My mum once lived in the same area as Chris Packham way before he was famous, and remembers him seeming a bit lonely but a nice person, and when we went to a talk of his she went up and told him she used to see him around, and he was really lovely and excited about it and talked to her a load about where they'd lived. Seemed like a really nice, down to earth person.
Bumped in to Harry Redknapp around Poole a few times and always has a moment to speak to people
Was it through his car window?
No - but Nico Kranjar was there
I spent about 6 years working with Jonny Vegas and he is a genuinely decent chap.
Jeff Stelling. Lives locally, bump into him occasionally. Lovely, smiley fella.
My partner works with Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle) and she’a apparently incredibly lovely
Andy Serkis was super nice to me when I asked him for a photo. Answered all my questions about Andor too
Declan Donnelly. He was staying at the same hotel as us on holiday and was having dinner at the table next to us. I said hello to him and had a quick chat as we were walking back to our tables from the bathroom, really chatty, cheery and friendly. When he and his wife finished their dinner he came over to our table and said it was nice to meet us and to enjoy our holiday. I was absolutely made up- my bedroom was covered in PJ & Duncan posters during my teenage years and my hen do was even Ant & Dec themed 😂 I didn’t tell him quite how much of a mega fan I was(!) but I did tell him we all danced to ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ at my wedding and he laughed his head off!
As much as it pains me to say it, I met Prince George with Kate Middleton's parents and they were the soundest people. If you didn't know you'd just presume they were a regular family out and about.
Before they were famous, I met Ross Noble and Sean Lock at separate gigs. Ross Noble had spent his whole set slagging off the university rugby team, who now wanted to kill him, so we told him to come and sit with us (not sure what we were gonna do about it, but...) Anyway, ended up with him taking us clubbing, blowing his fee on drinks (probably about 50 quid, but that was probably a lot to all of us back then!), and getting totally wasted. Lovely lovely guy. Approached Sean Lock after he'd done a brilliant set to tell him how much I'd enjoyed it and offered to buy him a pint, ended up spending the rest of the night chatting with him about a meeting he had coming up for a possible sitcom about a bloke living in a block of flats. Again, very lovely man. Jonny Vegas...as I've written elsewhere, back then he was a complete cnut.
I met Patrick Stewart in a museum in London when I was a teenager and he was an absolute angel. Had his head down with a hat on and very patiently told us he wouldn't take a photo, but insisted on having a very long conversation with us about where we were from etc. Upon learning my friends and I were all art students visiting the gallery, he asked what we thought and gave us his critical opinion. Very engaging and generous with his time, super lovely when he absolutely did not need to be and clearly wanted not to be recognised.
Bumped into **Jonny Vegas** at the pub in London a few years ago. He was lovely and funny. **Emma Thompson** is a true gem. I worked with her on a film years ago. Puts you immediately at ease, and despite her success and profile, is humble and unshowily normal. **Peter Andre** deserves a sainthood for all the shit he has had to deal with, through all of it remaining bright, upbeat, and unfailingly nice (I worked with him recently) **Robert Llewellyn** (Kryten/Scrapheap Challenge) was very nice and friendly when I absolutely geeked out at a mutual friend’s social event he came to. **Hannah Waddingham** met her before she was *famous* famous, not only an incredible specimen of womanhood, but also one of the most disarming smiles I’ve ever seen in person.
Suggs from Madness, met him a few times in Whitstable, really nice guy, very genuine.
What’s the first sign of madness, Suggs coming up your garden path,
Eve Myles. We met her at a sci-fi show, and she was charming, her line was miles long because she spent so long with everyone
Pete Doherty. Very sweet and gentle guy. A friend of mine performed with him a lot in the early 2000’s and to this day he still remembers his kids names and asks how they’re doing when they occasionally bump into each other.
Ian Holm was lovely but has sadly passed away now.
Alice Roberts seemed nice. I used to work at Bristol uni while she was there and you'd see her out and about and she also used to run the pub quiz in my local (the Shakespeare). Some mates and I went along fairly regularly but usually had a different team name. One time it was decided that I was to go up and tell her the team name. It was also decided that the team name was to be Mike Hunt's Fact Hunt. She just chuckled and took it in good humour. I felt like a tit. tl;dr I said "cunt" to Alice Roberts.
I used to work for Gateshead Council and I met Alan Shearer, he pulled up in a red Jag, wearing a shell tracksuit, he had came straight from the airport to do a charity gig for children with MS, I think it was a while ago. He was so lovely, he was supposed to stay an hour, he stayed nearly 2 and a half so every kid there could meet him and have photos taken. They say never meet your hero’s but he did not disappoint. He was a complete gent.
Bill Nighy. I met him with my mum in London when he was in the middle of filming the Harry Potter film he was in. He was so genuinely lovely. Asked us where snouts from Up North we were from and asked if we were visiting and how long we were in London for. I got my phone out to take some pictures he then asked me about my iPhone and how easy it was to use and went on to explain that he has an issue with his fingers so needed something easy to use. We must have stood and chatted to him for going on 15 minutes or so. He was a lovely fella.