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Original poster

Which celebs have you met in daily life?

503 replies

Loveaglassofsherry · 15/01/2025 18:09

I just met actor Irene Marot, who played Ron Dixon’s wife DD in Brookside, when she asked me for directions on a London street corner. Happy to report that she is absolutely delightful IRL. (I told her she looked familiar and she seemed surprised and chuffed that I had recognised her.)

So, which “celebrities” (A-list or otherwise) have you met by chance in a “civilian” or daily life context. And what were they like?

OP posts:
Printedword · 15/01/2025 20:13

Emilia Fox on holiday. Her little dog was on a long lead and sniffed around my shopping. She apologised completely unnecessarily. Very nice.

Alan Rickman and I met at a drinks event before a lecture. Really charming.

Lifelover16 · 15/01/2025 20:13

A few footballers - all very pleasant and personable.

David Jason who was absolutely vile and utterly rude to my two young daughters.

OVienna · 15/01/2025 20:14

Rosamund Pike - adorable, shorter than you'd expect
Bruce Jenner - back in the 1970s at LAX. Charming.
Teddy Sheringham- just another parent at this kids do, totally fine.
Does Virginia Bottomley count? Not constituency related.
JFK Jr
Someone else but I forget.

GiddyRobin · 15/01/2025 20:15

Alan Rickman, yonks ago. Lovely man, really friendly.

Reece Shearsmith - twice at work events. Absolutely lovely man, spent a long time chatting both times.

Jon Boden of Bellowhead. Really interesting bloke.

Jeremy Corbyn, three times. Such a nice man.

David Wenham - Faramir from LotR. I nearly cried being the geek I am. He was hilarious!

ladygindiva · 15/01/2025 20:16

Joely Richardson, asking for directions on the Cornish coast path. Utterly stunning and very very nice and polite.

OVienna · 15/01/2025 20:16

TicTac80 · 15/01/2025 19:59

-Walked around a corner, bumped into Brian May and dropped my shopping. I looked up at him and muttered, "sorry Brian", picked up shopping (he helped) and then I carried on bloody walking. It was a couple of minutes later that the damned penny dropped. I'm so annoyed at myself as I LOVE Queen.

-Was in an elevator with my aunt (I was about 7) - in Sears Tower. An English guy is the elevator with us. We were making small talk with him, and then my aunt says, "I'm so sorry but do I know you from somewhere?". We realised afterwards that it was Phil Collins (I had the Invisible Touch and No Jacket Required albums playing almost constantly in my Walkman!!).

They were both lovely...thank goodness, as I love their music. I'm sure I've seen others in daily life but can't remember who.

My sister got chatted up by The Edge (U2) back in the late 80's/early 90's! Shane MacGowan and Dan Stevens went to the same school as me (Shane MacGowan was there way before me though!). Dan was a year or two below me but I remember him well (obvs this was before he became an actor!).

In my job, I've looked after some celebrities over the years (I remember their names but can't/won't say who). They've all been lovely....but then I've been their nurse!

Shane MacGowen went to Tonbridge School!?

JackJarvisEsq · 15/01/2025 20:18

ListenDontJudge · 15/01/2025 19:46

Abi?

Show quote history

No, Scottish and unlikely to be well known

no longer Mrs footballer. I was shocked and stunned when that divorce went through 🤨

ladygindiva · 15/01/2025 20:19

And Joe Armstrong, of robin hood and happy valley. He was very pleasant.

jotex · 15/01/2025 20:19

I’ve met Pope Francis; does that count?

AllstarFacilier · 15/01/2025 20:20

Tom Cruise once dropped from the sky when out for a walk in the Lakes.

JackJarvisEsq · 15/01/2025 20:22

jotex · 15/01/2025 20:19

I’ve met Pope Francis; does that count?

I honestly think I’d cry if I saw him

tillytoodles1 · 15/01/2025 20:22

Michael Owen and his wife Louise. They live nearby as they have done all their lives and are so ordinary, still say hello to the people they went to school with.

MrsJamin · 15/01/2025 20:26

Derren Brown. Absolutely not like you might worry what a magician would be - he was thoughtful, generous, down to earth and so kind.

whaddayawannado · 15/01/2025 20:28

forthistimeonly · 15/01/2025 20:02

I've been friends with Boy George for over 30 years so obv met rest of culture club. . I'm 54.
George Michael in Ibiza 1991.
Used to go clubbing a lot in the late 80s and 90s - here in London and Ibiza and met many previous soap/drama actors, many times, including the actors who played
Zammo and Jackie from Grange Hill, the guy who played Charlie in Shinebon Harvey Moon, Tristan in George and Mildred,
Daniella Westbrook.
Neil Morrisey.
Also, through friends:
Mike Jones - Clash/Big Audio Dynamite (friend was their official photographer)
Ant and Dec on my Hen weekend in 2002 whilst they were filming Pop Idol in Manchester (staying in same hotel).
Also met Amy Winehouse many times in Camden RIP, Kate Moss, Peal Lowe, Sadie Frost, Jude Law (exH went to school with him).
Met Paula Yates a few times as best friend worked on Big Breakfast early 90s.
Met Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McClaren as good friend is friends with their son (Agent Provocateur) again early 90s.

Those were the days......

I nearly met George Michael in Ibiza in 1991 as well - we were in a bar, got chatting to the staff and they told us he'd dropped in for a drink - "You should have been in here last week"!

Greyish2025 · 15/01/2025 20:31

OzCalling · 15/01/2025 18:28

Jimmy Carr sitting having dinner alone beside us in a restaurant. Incredibly unpleasant + hostile man - very rude towards staff. Despite it being quite a fancy restaurant he had a takeaway Starbucks coffee with him and sipped on it throughout his meal. Money can’t buy class!

He always comes across as such a bitchy unpleasant man, don’t know how he ever became successful, he’s not at all funny just mean

Tellerain · 15/01/2025 20:31

John Malkovich stole my taxi on Oxford St, noticed, apologised, got out and gave it to me. Excellent coat.

ladygindiva · 15/01/2025 20:31

Oh and Bez from the happy Mondays

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/01/2025 20:34

TicTac80 · 15/01/2025 20:12

I think there must be a pattern forming here. Meet Brian May, get star struck (or the penny doesn't drop in my case!!).

Show quote history

DH and I saw Brian May years ago in London, I recognised but couldn't place him . DH said "Oh that's Brian May" and he ( Brian) gave me the broadest but goofiest grin.
He was with a young girl ( daughter ?) and as You Never Meet Your Hero Grin he was gone and I was enchanted .

So.......... Sir Dr Brian May , I think you owe me an autograph for not harassing you in the street !

jotex · 15/01/2025 20:35

JackJarvisEsq · 15/01/2025 20:22

I honestly think I’d cry if I saw him

Show quote history

It was only a minute long exchange, but he was really lovely

whaddayawannado · 15/01/2025 20:36

My late DM used to like going shopping in M&S in Oxford Street. She was always bumping into famous people in there. Trouble was, she'd come home and say it was, "Oh you know, whatshername, in that programme with thingy... er... you know, him with the dark hair that was in that programme the other day, looks like a newsreader, you remember... '', and we'd be none the wiser!

CornishTeaTime · 15/01/2025 20:36

Stood next to Ronnie Corbett in Harrods Food Hall. Always remember it as he was in a salmon pink blazer, he was buying onion bhajis and 'signed for them' on account. He was very pleasant and polite to staff. And yes he is that tiny 😀

Julieju1 · 15/01/2025 20:38

I had my photo taken with Shawodywoddy.
I know Nicky Wire, lovely man, very down to earth. I had no idea who he was for ages.

RosesAndHellebores · 15/01/2025 20:39

Chris Barrie (Mr Brittas, Rimmer), entertaining and bright
Joanna Lumley, charming dainty and neat rather than glam
Michael Caine, charming
John Major, surprisingly charismatic
David Cameron, not charismatic, curated
Helena Bonham-Carter - not very nice

StMick · 15/01/2025 20:42

John Major, surprisingly charismatic

I read once that John Major's charisma makes you feel like you're the only woman in the room. I can believe it to be fair

ERthree · 15/01/2025 20:44

Philip Scofield, arrogant git. Duchess of York, so lovely and chatty. My Brother, Just my Brother and just an idiot. A few more that have mostly been lovely.