Celebs where you don’t expect to see them

[Normaja]

I did a drivers awareness course today, one of the online courses where the group joins via teams or whatever it is. You only see everyone’s face and first name.
Anyway, there was one participant that after a while of thinking she was familiar, I realised she’s a TV presenter. I’m certain it was her, but if it wasn’t then this woman with the same name shares an uncanny resemblance.

I don’t spot many celebs where I live so it was quite exciting to be sharing a space with one. Even if it was that particular space. She seemed very pleasant.

Ever had any random celeb spots like that?

In the early 80s, I spun quickly through a set of revolving doors, and almost tripped over Elton John. He's surprisingly shorter than you'd imagine.

James Hunt on the Silverstone pit wall in the 70's (that possibly doesn't count on reflection as you would expect to see him there!)
Sat next to Stephen Fry in a restaurant.
Judith Chalmers in the Maldives.
King Charles at a hospital charity morning in Bristol when he was Prince though.
Greg Rutherford in MK outside Mothercare.
Ran past Boris Johnson, his dog, kid and security next to Chequers whilst competing in a race.
Carol Vorderman in a restaurant in Cambridge last Christmas.

Jacob Reese mogg crossed the road on a zebra crossing right in front of us last year. Dp really wanted to carry on driving.

I’ve seen lots of famous people after decades in London, but my favourite was Alan Rickman stood next to my seat on a packed train from Paddington for about an hour. It was rammed, so no place to move. He was (understandably) rather grumpy 😂

Gaz from Supergrass opening the door to a house party I'd been invited to. He didn't look pleased?
Dexter Fletcher in Waitrose. But it's not that weird for celebs to go to Waitrose surely?
If it was Kate Moss in the lidls cake aisle I'd probably be surprised.
Yeah, I've only ever seen celebs in contexts that seems normal ish. Or just walking up the road.
A blue Peter presenter was working at a call centre I also worked at. I think he was hoping nobody would recognise him so I didn't say anything.
Jarvis Cocker used to live next door to my local pub from work. He'd come in with his son who spoke french and was cute. But jarv did not make any eye contact. I had my teen crush shattered! Lol
Jamie oliver's wife used to come I to the pub and eat pizzas, round the corner from her husband's restaurant. Always with a different male companion.
Peaches Geldof stumbling round various bars and clubs looking totally munted aged 16. She always had this one fat old paparazzo guy they went with her everywhere?!

Mark Owen used to go to baby swim classes in Wandsworth. Everyone sort of tried to ignore that it was him but in a way that was painfully obvious

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham carter came into my old shop many years ago. Lots of people kept speaking to him and I couldn't work out who he was, convinced myself he was bob Dylan (?!?!) didn't realise who he was until he paid and I looked at the name on the card. Then proceeded to get completely starstruck and asked him for an autograph.....he drew me jack skellington.

I stood talking to bob mortimer for 20 minutes at a craft fair and didn't twig who it was until someone told me afterwards ( stupid as I really like him!)

Marilyn Manson in a nightclub...dancing to his own song.

Paul Whitehouse at a kids ice skating session at my local leisure centre.
Amy Winehouse in the pub (with body guard)
Steve McFadden at the cash point in Highgate
Indira Varma (actor who played Luther's wife) in the sandpit of my local park

Brad and Angelina at Legoland Windsor.

Uma Thurman in central park with I'm guessing her young daughter,who was about 3 at the time,now known for playing Robin in "Stranger things"

Andi Peters in Starbucks Teddington looking buff

The actor who played the dad in Billy Elliot in a swimming pool changing room.
He was struggling with toddler twins .

Peter Mullen in a lead mine to see Santa ... Yip I cannot even begin to describe that one !

Younger Chuckle brother in a hospital waiting area.

Almost forgot Ed Miliband at my local park run and at the local lido

Paul Weller buying plasters in Boots one day.

Rufus Sewell on the Bakerloo line
Fergie at Newark Airport (USA)
Kate Mulgrew (from one of the Star Treks) at Heathrow Airport
Robson Green at Costa in Guildford
Peter Andre at ASDA in Burgh Heath Surrey
Chelsy Davy (ex GF of Prince Harry) on the lift at my old law firm (she was doing work experience)
Judi Dench at Fortnum and Mason
Maggie Smith (I think) at a charity event in Wotton Surrey

Ronnie Corbett, Ian Wright, and Katie Price in the same Waitrose (Warlingham South Croydon) on the same day at the same time. About ten years ago now!

Naturally, it was Ronnie I fangirled over.

Matt Berry on the tube, and Homes under the Hammer guy held the door open for me as he was coming out of and I was going into the Institute of Civil Engineers. I recognised him but in the moment didn’t click it was because I had seen him on TV until the following morning when I was brushing my teeth😂

edited to say also a bunch of MPs in the park, but it’s hardly surprising as back in the day I used to work in Westminser area

further edit to add Eddie Izzard on a train platform in Croydon. And also a bunch of Gladiators (the original ones - Wolf, Jett and a couple of others) turning on the Christmas lights in my home town in the 1990s 😂

Sat at a table in Nando's while away for work, recognised the face of a man at the next table who was with his wife and DC but just couldn't place him in the dull light...until he stood up and put his hands on his hips and spoke....
Simon Gregson,
Steve Mcdonald in Corrie.

I saw Alicia Douvall in the local Job Centre a couple of months ago (not the most famous celeb, but still surprised to see her there).

Saw Iain Duncan Smith in our local Homebase (before it closed).

Saw Kevin Sacre a few times around town.

Met more famous celebs in more professional settings, but these were the most random.

Sophie Dahl and Jamie Callum were in front of me in the security queue at Heathrow.

At my sons school. Guitarist from a famous band. Wouldn't have ever recognised him. Another mum pointed him out.

Miriam Margolyes on a train to Devon
Nigella Lawson in the V&A museum
Louis Walsh on a flight from Dublin
Jerry Hall in the newsagents
David Cameron in a book shop
Amanda Barrie and Biggins on the next table having dinner
Jo Brand at Legoland
Random royals out and about
Just the ones I can recall.

David Prowse at my primary school. (Pre Darth Vader).
Prince Michael of Kent at a petrol station.
Jacob Rees Mogg and one of his children in our local high street (he was our MP at the time).
Steven Merchant at my office.
Andrew Harvey (former BBC newsreader in a bank).
Bill Tarmey (Jack Duckworth on Corrie) in a pub in Devon.

I was browsing books in Waterstones Deansgate years ago, I looked up and briefly made eye contact with Sue Nicholls (Audrey from Corrie). My face must’ve said ‘where do I know you from?’ because she gave me a knowing smile as we passed.

I also once had a long, involved conversation about drones with Sir Ranulph Fiennes at my place of work. I didn’t recognise him, it was only after he’d gone a colleague told me who it was. I met him again in a work context a few years later, he’s a genuine, humble guy, I liked him.

Pete Murray, Patricia Hayes and Amanda Burton in my local Sainsbury, albeit years ago.

Michael Caine - twice and unexpectedly.

Terry Wogan in a West End bank.

Joanne Lumley at a wedding.

Sarah-Armstrong Jones at the next table at a Chelsea restaurant.

Sebastian Coe, a parent at a hockey match.

All a long time ago now. I'm no longer in London!

Umberto Eco on Thameslink
Alistair Darling in Tesco Express

Classy, me!

Emma Watson this year walking along the road in Oxford. I hoped that she'd be seen by a group of Korean tourists on the Harry Potter guided tour - would 've blown their minds!