I accidentally made friends with someone very famous, now what?

[CornflakeShark]

I feel a bit of a dork here but hear me out. I met Peter* at one of my regular fav haunts. It's a quiet, out-of-the-way place used by those who share a common pass-time. Peter & I must have similar schedules because we often rock-up at the same time. Over a period, we've progressed from a smile & nod at a distance, to polite small-talk, to sharing a space to do our hobby side-by-side - with the accompanying chit-chat that goes with it. I felt like we were right on the cusp of becoming quite pally. I don't have a tv & seldom read the news online apart from a quick scan of the headlines, I'm a bit out of touch really. Then a week ago I suddenly saw his pic in the news & thought 'Oh fuck'. I was shocked. I know Peter's just a bloke like any other person underneath it. He doesn't court the press like some do but now I feel a bit funny about the next time we meet up. He's never told me who he is other than first names & I suspect he likes the quiet friendship. I feel funny about it now. Do I say something? If I don't I feel a bit awkward. Wwyd?

So why is he famous?? I'm confused. If you're such good mates don't you talk about what you do for a living?

Not say anything yet and just let the friendship build.

I’d say nothing until you are really pally and then mention that you only found out recently. He probably does enjoy that you don’t make a fuss.

Say nothing and just be yourself. What's the alternative, blurting out 'you're famous'? He already knows

People are people. You either like them or you don’t. Crack on with normal and don’t overthink. If it comes up don’t hide that you know, otherwise forget it

He’s probably glad not to be fussed over. Has what you do for a living never come up? I’d just carry on the friendship as you were.

Maybe throw into the conversation that you realized who he was and then ask him to pass the glitter glue (or whatever would be appropriate for your shared hobby)

Ask him what he does for a living, and then when he says he sings in a band/ does some acting/ does some TV work, just say 'oh that sounds interesting, could you pass me the hammer/ tweezers/wool, just come to a tricky bit.' Then carry on your hobby where you left off.

then of course come and tell us all the gossip

I don’t think you need to mention it at all. Just let the friendship carry on as is

What difference does it make? They're still just a person. Just carry on as you are.

I train at a very small gym that sometimes is used by 'celebrities' (although I'm usually oblivious and focused on my workout). I've ended up having fairly lengthy conversations with two celebs when it's just been us in an area of the gym. The first one I was aware of who he was but there was no reason to comment on it. We spoke on quite a few occasions. The second one I had no idea who she was until she posted something on social media and tagged the gym and I realised who I'd been talking to. She was much nicer than the Daily Mail makes out.

Carry on as normal, if you mention anything it could well spoil the friensdship, is it likely to become a romantic relationship?

I genuinely can't work out which I want to know more - who Peter is or what the hobby is?

That’s excellent.

He probably thinks you are great for not making a fuss.

My DF used to meet a famous Scottish Actor while out walking my dog on a Wednesday night in the local park. They became quite friendly and would sit on a bench and talk about everything apart from who he was. He later told my DF that he loved that he was treated as a normal guy with no hero worship ( if you know what l mean). He was just a Glasgow man with his dog putting the world to right. When they parted at the end of the evening- he went for his poke of chips from the local chippie.
Just be yourself OP he probably will appreciate that more than anything.

Please tell us your hobby!

Clay pigeon shooting
Cartography
Upholstery
Beekeeping

It's such a shame that fame spoils things. Poor guy he must have enjoyed the anonymity.

Try and stay normal.

I did ask what he does, we swapped that info early on but he was a bit evasive & I realised enough to just let it go. He told me the truth, just a very slimmed-down version of it.

I want to know the hobby. I’m guessing it’s something simple like pool or darts, which would not be remotely outing. So if it is simple, please tell us OP, so we can stop speculating.

Do you play the ukulele?
Paint bowls of fruit?
Pinball?

Maybe try to delete that information from your memory? He's still the same person. You're still the same person. Maybe just keep on doing what you've been doing, enjoying the friendship as it is.

Is It Julian clary?

Please don’t mention it. If he wanted to talk about that he would have told you.

Is it Paul Nicholson.

?

I'm going to disagree with the people on here saying to carry on as if you'd never found out.

Peter will know that something has changed and it could spoil the friendship by introducing a feeling of awkwardness that wasn't there before.

If I were you, I would say to him next time you meet something along the lines of: "I don't know whether you thought it was wierd that I've never mentioned the fact that you're well known, but to be honest I never watch the TV and had no idea you are so high profile in until I saw a picture of you the other day. It must feel quite nice for you to be incognito here. Now, shall we get on with climbing that wall/sailing that boat/setting out the chairs for the AA meeting/whatever it is you do together."