The Book Tower

I’ve met quite a lot of famous people. This is probably something to do with the fact that I used to work for the BBC and spent rather a lot of time in the bar, or getting in and out of lifts, or showing people into dressing rooms and studios. Here is a list of some of the famous people I’ve met and what they’ve said to me.

Paul McCartney
At Top of the Pops in 1987. He was signing an autograph for me and the pen ran out. He had to borrow another one. He said “don’t worry, it always happens.”

Jeffrey Archer
At the BBC TV Centre. He said to me “Why can’t we go that way? I want to go that way!”

Melvyn Bragg
After a public debate at Wimbledon Town Hall. He said “did you find it interesting?”

Ken Campbell (eccentric actor and writer)
A drunken conversation. He said “keep writing the letters!” although I can’t remember what prompted this.

Alison Steadman
She pushed in front of me in a queue for a comedy club in North London. She said “I’m not pushing in!”

Roger McGough
On the Northern Line. He said “I’ve just been up to Epsom.”

Cecil Parkinson
At the BBC TV Centre. He said “here’s my expenses. I’m VAT registered.”

Lenny Henry
In the lift at the BBC. He said “nice one!” (I was wearing Comic Relief boxer shorts).

Paul Daniels
He ran into the lift I was standing in at the BBC and said to me “ronning is not a good idea at lonchtime!”

Barry Cryer
In the BBC bar. He said “how do you keep them on?” (We were wearing Comic Relief red noses).

Robert Lang (actor – no relation)
In the lift at the BBC, which wasn’t working properly. He said “werrrrgghhh!”