Very well put. My mum saw David Walliams out with his wife and son at london zoo but declined to approach him as she felt he deserved to enjoy his family outing without harassment.

The way I see it and I appreciate some won't agree but it's like a boss calling you constantly on your day off. You want them to leave you alone. A celeb on a family outing doesn't need to be constantly approached by the public.

I do not personaly do this
I have though been in resturant with my friend and my fave singer with his family and friends were there and he saw us and came up to say hello.
Not the first time he did that either but he is lovely always time for his fans before and after concerts
I was in a Harvester sometime ago and I was told by a waitress whom knew son and I are Arsenal supporters told us that Arsenal footballer was in Harvester day before and people keept going up to him he was happy to sign etc then If I recall rightly she said he said he sign bit later which he didfor customers and staff

Edit to say
I seen Stephen Fry in theatre member of audiance but I did not go up to him and I seen others would not dream to go up to them .
I only wait by stage door to get autographs and some do signings inside theatre

I would not ask anybody for an autograph. I wouldn't speak to them either. If I was in a situation where conversation happened naturally I would chat to them but I would not go over to them, or expect anything from them. I might have a slight surreptitious peek at the corner of my eye, but that's it. I think half of it is pride - I don't think they are any better than me (and I don't think I am better than anyone else) and talking to them to get their attention just smacks of deference to me.

I think I'm a bit like that, so understand where you're coming from.

He'd probably just say 'That's entertainment'.





(groan)

That's unfair. It's not like you give them money for free. You're paying for a movie, song, album etc. They don't owe fans time just because they're rich.

Everyone has been rude at some point. Even me and I hate rudeness. We're only human.

Exactly, I'm sure a plumber out for a meal with some friends would be delighted to have someone interrupt them to discuss a blocked toilet. I certainly don't like it when I'm on a day off and people talk to me about work. I regard people in showbiz the same way - I pay to see them do their job, when they are not working that's their time.

A friend of mine saw Yootha Joyce in a restaurant in London back in the days when she was in Man About The House, (or it may have been George and Mildred), approached her for an autograph and she was rudely dismissed by Yootha. I agree with the above posters who say when well known people are on their own time they shouldn't be disturbed.

An ex colleague of mine was on holiday in Florida sometime in the 90's and Johnny Briggs was in the same complex as them. My colleague was mortified that for two weeks her husband attempted to become Johnny's best friend. Johnny, for his part was always very courteous and friendly. and was never dismissive of him at all.

Yootha Joyce was known to be a very private and shy lady and nothing at all like the strong and dominant woman Mildred Roper was. I've heard before she did not like being recognised or approached.

Well done to Johnny Briggs though - he sounds like a true gent!

How much time does it take to scribble two words on a piece of paper?

Reading this thread is a real eye opener and has changed my views on quite a few people. If these people don't like fans or can't handle fame, perhaps they should go do something else? Being recognised is part of being famous.

Because some people just want to act and don't really care if they're famous? They don't have to stop for anyone. They can walk right past fans as much as they want and they don't need to quit acting because you think they're rude.

How much time does it take? How many times do you think people like Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna are stopped a day for autographs? I think it takes quite a bit of time. Are celebrities not allowed to have off moments? Have you never snapped at someone because of a bad mood?

Not long just once, but it adds up if others see it done and want one. If you've signed others, people can say why not for them if refused.

I remember a story Jimmy Savile told, in his autobiography which I read years ago. He told how he was just reaching the end of a half-marathon or long race of some sort, and someone jumped out asking him to sign something. He couldn't stop and crashed into the man and they both fell over. Serves him right, many might say now. But it does show the lengths and lack of appropriate timing of some autograph seekers.

Also, a lot of celebrities are very particular about getting he balance right between being on and off duty, so they don't go mad. Sounds like a good idea to me. Eric Morecambe was never off- duty, and it infuriated his family.

Exactly.

I once saw the late Don Estelle on a beach in Bridlington. He was selling his own CD's from a suitcase. Some young child asked him to sign an autograph book but he refused saying he would only sign his CD's but sadly he was very snappy with it and sent the child away with a flick of his hand.
I remember thinking, you're flogging your own CD's from a suitcase on Bridlington beach, you need to behave better. No problem if he wouldn't sign but no need to be so dismissive.
I later saw him marching very quickly off the beach looking very cross.

I remember seeing him warbling in the old Woolworths, there, while trying to flog his music (can't remember format but it was back in the early 1990s).

Met Mathew Horne at a club in central London a couple of days ago. A very nice and down to Earth person

Me too. He was in his Lofty outfit as well,if my memory is not playing tricks!

Timmy Mallet is an absolute bellend

Story please.

He was also in his Lofty outfit when I saw him on Bridlington beach so I doubt your memory is playing tricks.

He's just very rude and arrogant, everybody else was below him and may as well have been shit on his show. I've met lots of celebs in my time and always on a professional level (where they're being paid) and he is the one who sticks out in my mind as the worst. Proper childhood ruiner that was

Nope, you got it!
Wonder if he got kicked out of there (Woolies) and that's why he ended up on the beach, davelovesleeds!!!

Saw him doing the same in a shopping centre in Banbury. In his Lofty outfit. Felt sorry for him - nobody was interested. This was about 10 years ago.