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Original poster

Famous ex- in the press.

22 replies

Bearyhumcrack · 15/06/2022 10:17

More or less over this part of my life now but still feel a bit squiffy when I see it. My question is, based on what I know of him, most of the story looks like bollocks- the quotes from friends etc.

If the journo says "a close source" what does that actually mean? Could they just be making it up completely? Or is there a grain of truth behind it?

OP posts:
Georgeskitchen · 15/06/2022 10:29

A close source means the actual person themselves I reckon
Are we allowed to know who it is?

Dahlly · 15/06/2022 10:58

Close source can mean anything.

-close contact of the celeb
-Close contact of the circle around the celeb
-or close contact of the journo/newspaper but may or may not also be a close contact of the celeb

Isaidnoalready · 15/06/2022 11:00

Someone with a grudge who used to work for him? Depends is this negative or positive news story?

Pixiedust1234 · 15/06/2022 11:18

It can mean anything. Their agent, pr agent, cleaning lady, pub landlord, neighbours. Its easier to guess who wouldn't be a close source.

Wnikat · 15/06/2022 11:21

It’ll be the PR trying to keep his name in the press

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 15/06/2022 11:23

I once got quoted by the press as "(famous person)'s younger sister said".

I am not her sister, she has no sisters, I look nothing like her, and I had said literally nothing except "excuse me, please" when I came out of a house and had to get through a little gaggle of them.

"A close source" is just a way to say "we thought this story looked as if it would sell."

Triffid1 · 15/06/2022 11:27

"Close source" could mean anything and varies massively accordingly to publication type and also type of news.

In the business press, I'd say a "source close to the company" usually means the PR person who can't officially provide info. In the Daily Mail, it's entirely likely to be the journalist making it up. [shrug]

TheVolturi · 15/06/2022 11:33

I think half of the stories in the daily mail are absolutely made up!

Bunty55 · 15/06/2022 11:40

TheVolturi · Today 11:33
I think half of the stories in the daily mail are absolutely made up!

Yes.. just like half of the stories we read here !

lunar1 · 15/06/2022 11:41

My friend has stories printed about them. Pretty much all of the close sources actually mean 'made up by press'

DodoApplet · 15/06/2022 11:41

A close source could well mean that the person in question has slipped the story to the journalist on the condition that they're not quoted, e.g. so they can deny having said anything of the kind afterwards if they want to. Anything that isn't directly attributable should be considered untrustworthy, not least because you know that the actual source is deliberately concealing their identity.

tootiredtoocare · 15/06/2022 11:44

"Close source" could be the guy/guyess who delivered his weekly shop. Much newspaper journalism is gutter press. You know it's rubbish, that's all you need.

Irishfarmer · 15/06/2022 11:53

Most of the things you see where the quote 'close source' I would imagine is from someone not close at all! It is usually something you would hope someone close to you would keep to themselves.

LetitiaLeghorn · 15/06/2022 11:58

Close source means his PR machine.
But, Amber, leave Johnny alone now. 😉

Gastropod · 15/06/2022 12:00

Family member dated a sleb and the utter nonsense that was written in the tabloids about them was astonishing. One tiny grain of truth would be extrapolated into a whole fabricated story full of "quotes" from "sources".

Basilbrushgotfat · 15/06/2022 12:02

It doesn't mean anything. Probably just completely made up.

Summerwetordry · 15/06/2022 12:07

I've been in the press for a big story. Every sentence has contained inaccuracies. Stories based on lies. Chased round the supermarket by the rat pack, it's awful. I'm glad I only had my 15 minutes of fame. How people constantly in the public eye cope with the nonsense written about them, I really don't know.

Alliswells · 15/06/2022 12:09

Bunty55 · 15/06/2022 11:40

TheVolturi · Today 11:33
I think half of the stories in the daily mail are absolutely made up!

Yes.. just like half of the stories we read here !

Same authors that's why Grin

TitsInAbsentia · 15/06/2022 12:10

LetitiaLeghorn · 15/06/2022 11:58

Close source means his PR machine.
But, Amber, leave Johnny alone now. 😉

It's Amber or Fergie....I can't decide which!

Original poster
Bearyhumcrack · 20/06/2022 22:55

Ahahah. Not any of them, saw him described earlier as a "micro-celeb" which pleased me.

Really interesting to read your views. My thoughts now are that he, or the other person involved have this as part of their publicity plan. Been a fascinating insight really!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bearyhumcrack · 21/06/2022 07:01

i actually changed my mind about posting this & thought I'd deleted!

@Summerwetordry did you speak to any of the journalists involved?

OP posts:
ChangedMyNamrButStillMe · 21/06/2022 07:10

It can mean anything at all - the story could be 109% accurate or entirely false or somewhere in between. It could be a story entirely fabricated by his PR to boost his profile or by the paper because he’s taken out a super injunction and making up very boring pieces on a celebrity is the papers way of alerting the public to this fact.

”Close friend” means nothing at all though.

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