As chance would have it, I know someone who went to school with Richard Armitage. My acquaintance says that he was never particularly well-liked outside his own little circle of friends. Now one can interpret this two ways: either his little circle of friends comprised unlikeable people like himself; or that his experience of being not-well-liked at school had a negative impact on his adult character.

As I understand it he was (and perhaps still is) a classical musician who played in a youth orchestra of some note. I am of a similar age and also a musician, and I know first hand how ostracising that particular talent can be at a secondary school.

Makes you think. Makes me think, anyway.


Wasn't this one of the "golden rules" of one of our dear departed variety performers? I'm thinking Bob Monkhouse, but it's probably not him.

Never met Melanie Sykes but have heard that as soon as the cameras stop rolling she snubs her guests.
Can feel her in insincerity every time she is on TV so false

Kelly Jones of Stereophonics
Bryan Adams
Paul Weller
Jools Holland
John Michie, actor
Jack Charlton
All of the above very nice people.

I was recently told that Julie Walters is quite unpleasant in real life. I found this hard to believe, since she seems to be so nice, but that's what I was told. It has to be said this is third hand information - so it may not be completely reliable.

Don't read his autobiography then, he was totaly obnoxious toward his ex wife and his sons not to mention his illegitimate daughter.

I can only speak from my own experience, over 20 years ago I was a receptionist at the accountants, Ernst and Young, and one memorable day Julie came in as a client.

I was totally in awe, but managed to contain my excitement when I asked her to take a seat. She had to wait a while for her meeting with one of the partners, so I asked her if she would like a coffee, and she replied, "No, but I am dying for a cup of tea!"

I then blurted out, I am such a big fan and have everything you have done on tape, she smiled and said, "Obviously a man of great taste!"

I phoned our tea lady in the kitchen and told her that Julie was in reception and she rushed out and they started chatting away about Julie's daughter Maisie, who was just a baby at the time.

She was just delightful, friendly, down to earth, and very warm, and I have very happy memories of her.

Julie and Anita Harris were the favourites of all of us on reception and in Security at that company.

Does anyone know if Joanna Lumley is unpleasant in real life?

I've always been a big fan, of her and of her character in AbFab, and I'd hate to think it was all an act........

I've heard though that Jennifer Saunders isn't the same in real life......

Admittedly I have no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised if she is; always comes across as a narcissistic, hammy old snob with extreme delusions of grandeur. I could be way off though!

So prophetic XD

You could be right, though for all that, she's got a great sense of humour though hasn't she?

And what is good, she's not shy in sending herself up, which I always think merits a down to earth personality.

And let's not forget her beautiful wonderful voice! How I wish I could sound like that.....

My uncles met her (much to our amusement as he calls her the "lovely Lumley") he said she is actually very nice, highly intelligent and just all round a decent person. Admittly he fancys her but he's pretty syndical so I'm inclined to belive him. Who ever dared besmirch the name of Julie Walters....shame on you!

Well, like I said, my information is far from reliable.

I met her in the early 80's when she was "off duty", standing alone watching her son at a sporting event.
I was walking near her her with my two year old daughter, and she smiled and made a fuss of my daughter, and was very friendly.
I asked if I could take a photo, and she said "how would you like me".
I took the picture (camera shaking!) and then had a chat about the New Avengers - I was a big fan of the show - and she was happy to chat about it.
I didn't outstay my welcome, but I can only speak as I find, and I found Joanna, nice, down to earth and very natural.

I was lucky enough to meet Joanna last year, at a fundraising event for the actors' retirement home Denville Hall.

She was quite spectacularly lovely. She spent ages chatting to people, signing autographs, having her photo taken, etc. A friend of mine got her to sign a bottle of Stolly vodka. Another friend asked her to sign a pic of her with her AbFab sister Jackie, the late Kate O'Mara. She was clearly hugely moved by this and started reminiscing about the lovely times she had spent filming with Kate.

In short, Joanna Lumley was even nicer than I hoped she'd be. An adorable lady.

My only (brief) experience of Joanna Lumley was about 15 years ago when she was doing some voiceover work for a radio documentary - something to do with the Gurkhas, I think, but I couldn't swear to that. She was terribly posh, but I thought she was very nice. My mother would have called her "proper posh", i.e. it was her personality and upbringing (which was curiously unaffected and sort of "ordinary") rather than an adopted air (which usually comes along with a sense of entitlement). She was all smiles and very chatty with everyone, but I remember her being absolutely professional (as well as fabulous) and knowing quite a lot about the technical aspects of radio work.

One encounter isn't enough to form a rounded opinion, of course, but she certainly left a favourable impression.

I did some work experience back in 1997 and she was at the place I was working at- rather unfriendly.

I met Sue Nicholls who plays Corrie Audrey back in 1994, absolutely lovely. Generous and kind lady who had a lot of time for everybody including me.

What are Biggins, Paul O'Grady & Dale Winton like in real life?

My dad met Joanna L once. Came home all starry eyed. Said she was gorgeous, not just in looks, but in personality. He said that when she spoke to you she gave you her full attention.

I met Joanna Lumley at a charity event, and she had time for everyone, a very down to earth and pleasant woman. Her 'poshness' is part of who she is, it's not an affectation, from what I could see. Admittedly, it was a public event and she was working, but I didn't get the impression her warmth and friendliness was all for show.

Apparently Biggins is VERY friendly...over friendly if anything.

A friend of mine met her a few years ago with her eldest child ( he'd have been about 3/4 at the time - he's 12 now) and she said Joanna came u to her and said what a gorgeous child. She then made a complete fuss over him and a picture was take. Of her giving my friends child a huge hug. My friend said she was lovely

^ Fair enough - I am obviously totally wrong about Ms Lumley!

Excuse my ignorance at anything mildly technical, though I still don't know how to multi link, but I just wanted to say to all the posters who replied re Joanna Lumley, thank you for bothering and taking the time!

I'm very glad that what I think of her seems to be what she is like in real life, and I'm glad that noone as yet has any horror stories of her....

Yes, well...........

I suggest you hang your head in complete shame and mortification and hope that Ms Lumley is not reading this.......