[Swanandduck]

Originally Posted by ThinWhitePuke

Stephen Gately - Legend, top bloke, loved his cars and motor racing
Leslie Crowther - Genuinely funny bloke
Russell Brand - Brief chat at Heathrow was a nice guy and wished me a safe flight
Cilla Black - Obnoxious self important cow
Rick Parfitt - Genuine bloke, met him at Indian takeaway he queued and waited like anyone else
Francis Rossi - Up himself
Gary Lineker - Miserable sod nothing like on tv
Murray Walker - Rude and unpleasant
Ayrton Senna - A gent, very quiet and serious but top bloke
Billy Murray - Legend
Alan Sugar - Wasn't rude but not the sort of person you would invite to a dinner party
Richard Hammond - Nothing like his tv persona, vile
Michael Schumacher - Aloof is kindest description
Kimi Raikkonen - Colder than a frozen cod
George Lucas - Disinterested in talking with us
James May - Top bloke, could chat to him all day
Stirling Moss - A gent
Johnny Herbert - Again top bloke very down to earth
Damon Hill - Miserable ****er
Lewis Hamilton - Surprisingly friendly
Jenson Button - Genuinely nice guy
Jimmy White - Again another top bloke
George Best - Chatted to him over a drink was a nice guy
Don Henley - Heard bad reports about him but he was nice to me

Someone I know who works in television said he has an absolutely awful reputation.

[Burning Bright]

Originally Posted by Richardcoulter

Whilst what you say is true, the public are, in effect, the customers of celebrities.

People who work in the service industry also have their off days and come across people they find annoying, but it would not be acceptable/appropriate for them to show customers a bad attitude.

While they are working sure, but I don't think anybody in the service industry would be happy about having to deal with a customer when they weren't working.

[woot_whoo]

Originally Posted by Burning Bright

While they are working sure, but I don't think anybody in the service industry would be happy about having to deal with a customer when they weren't working.

I think the 'service industry' analogy is a bit tenuous. Celebrities rely on their fans' support, so I don't think it's out of order to expect that they treat them with respect and appreciation, whether they're 'on' or not. After all, acting or singingare performative jobs, but the goodwill of the fans keeps those performances attended.

[21stCenturyBoy]

I was in 5th Avenue (an indie club in Manchester) on Friday night and met Joanne Frogatt of Downton Abbey fame.

She's stunning in the flesh and when she smiled at me (I held the door for her) I thought I was going to melt!

Nice lady.

[Rose2145]

I met Olly Murs after a gig and he was more than happy to make sure everyone had an autograph and a picture with him and he seemed like a genuine, lovely man.

[Burning Bright]

Originally Posted by woot_whoo

I think the 'service industry' analogy is a bit tenuous. Celebrities rely on their fans' support, so I don't think it's out of order to expect that they treat them with respect and appreciation, whether they're 'on' or not. After all, acting or singingare performative jobs, but the goodwill of the fans keeps those performances attended.

I think they should be treated respectfully as everyone should be, but they get entertainment from the performer that's really all they are entitled to imo. Everything else is a bonus and shouldn't be expected. I think they are entitled to a private life, like the rest of us.

[dorydaryl]

I definitely go along with ideas that:
A) Celebs or public figures should be able to go about their daily business (i.e. 'off duty') without being harassed or asked for autographs, especially if they are shopping, having a meal out, etc. They are not public property. If, however, their body language suggests they are open to being approached and they seem relaxed and friendly, there's no harm in asking for a chat.
B) They can have 'off days'. Unless it's something really striking or nasty, it's not really fair to decide what kind of a person they really 'are' on the basis of a one off meeting. Some people think nothing of badgering them and winding them up only to get offended when they don't get the response they are looking for. I also think that some of these celebs might be genuinely shy- not like their on-screen personas- and this can sometimes be mistaken for being offhand.
However:
I have no time for celebs who play the 'Do you know who I am?' card and expect special allowances to be made for them while they are out and about, especially if they are trying to blag discounts and freebies on the basis of who they are (as we know some of them do!). If they want to be respected as ordinary human beings, they should behave accordingly.
Nor can I stand those who act with an air of dismissiveness or superiority to people making polite conversation. They are no better than anyone else because they are in the public eye. From this thread and others, certain names keep cropping up which suggest that some of them think they are (*cough* Cilla Black, Anthony Cotton *cough*). Without an audience, they would be 'nobody' and they wouldn't have enjoyed the level of income they have done over the years and a little genuine humility costs nowt.

[Felis_Catus]

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but this thread makes me think of the episode of Father Ted where he meets Richard Wilson and shouts "I DON'T BELIEVE IT" at him, which subsequently shows Wilson attacking him

I've met a few celebs, mainly at conventions, and Robert Englund is among the nicest. He had a lot time for his fans and really gets into the spirit of his 'Freddy Krueger' persona.

The rudest celeb by far was Pete Burns. He was in a London nightclub and was just so stand-offish and venomous.

[dorydaryl]

Originally Posted by Felis_Catus

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but this thread makes me think of the episode of Father Ted where he meets Richard Wilson and shouts "I DON'T BELIEVE IT" at him, which subsequently shows Wilson attacking him

I've met a few celebs, mainly at conventions, and Robert Englund is among the nicest. He had a lot time for his fans and really gets into the spirit of his 'Freddy Krueger' persona.

The rudest celeb by far was Pete Burns. He was in a London nightclub and was just so stand-offish and venomous.

I LOVED that scene. Think RW will actually only say it now if a large donation is made to charity each time he does.

Pete Burns...why am I not surprised? Good to hear about Robert Englund. I remember him when he played a 'goodie' in the original 'V'.

Really like your username, btw!

[oh vienna]

Originally Posted by Swanandduck

A few years ago my friend's brother in law was putting in a phone for the late Natasha Richardson and said she was very nice and normal and even made him a sandwich.

Her death was so sad. She was a beautiful woman and a lovely actress. I love her in The Parent Trap remake.

[zx50]

Originally Posted by Felis_Catus

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but this thread makes me think of the episode of Father Ted where he meets Richard Wilson and shouts "I DON'T BELIEVE IT" at him, which subsequently shows Wilson attacking him

I've met a few celebs, mainly at conventions, and Robert Englund is among the nicest. He had a lot time for his fans and really gets into the spirit of his 'Freddy Krueger' persona.

The rudest celeb by far was Pete Burns. He was in a London nightclub and was just so stand-offish and venomous.

Yeah, he was pretty nasty when in Celebrity Big Brother in 2006. He was vile in that.

[Smiirky]

I've shaken Princes William & Harry's hands before. Both very friendly and chatted with everyone.

[maylise]

Originally Posted by Felis_Catus

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but this thread makes me think of the episode of Father Ted where he meets Richard Wilson and shouts "I DON'T BELIEVE IT" at him, which subsequently shows Wilson attacking him

I've met a few celebs, mainly at conventions, and Robert Englund is among the nicest. He had a lot time for his fans and really gets into the spirit of his 'Freddy Krueger' persona.

The rudest celeb by far was Pete Burns. He was in a London nightclub and was just so stand-offish and venomous.

Ditto for Pete Burns very rude and demanding to wait staff.

[LooCY91]

met Rebecca Ferguson in town on Saturday, she stopped and talked to literally everybody who came over to her!

[pobop]

Originally Posted by sophloz

A friend of mine years back worked on an Adidas commercial which had David Beckham and Steven Gerrard. He said Steven Gerrard was 'one of the biggest tossers you'd ever met.' It was an outside shoot, bit miserable outside and cold, but Gerrard never once talked to the crew. Also during the day a bunch of kids were hanging by the fence, because of course they wanted a glimpse of Beckham and Gerrard. Gerrard wouldn't even acknowledge them and straight after the shoot had finished he drove straight off.

I used to work at a football stadium where Liverpool played years ago when Benitez was still in charge.
Gerrard left a horrible impression on the hospitality staff, he was approached by someone who wanted a champions league poster signed for their kid, to which he just got up and walked away. He was labeled a 'miserable git' by everyone who met him. Mind you Crouch was apparently very nice/intelligent, considering home fans had been verbally abusing him with 'Freak' chants.

Creepy one - Dean Gaffney, was frequenting a well known SW London nightclub 4 years ago or so, (probably still is) and trying his best to get people to notice him.
I was out with a friend when she said she recognised him, without thinking (and in an inebriated sense) she shouted 'Omg it's Robbieeee!'
So he came over to her, chatted and he flat out asked for her phone number, nevermind the fact this was in front of her boyfriend.

About 6 months ago I got a facebook request from him, looked at his page and he was adding women everywhere trying to chat some up... disgusting, and yes this was really him.

[afallingstar]

A friend of mine punched Christopher Biggins in the face on a ferry to France. Didn't even talk to him, just said he always wanted to.

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Originally Posted by afallingstar

A friend of mine punched Christopher Biggins in the face on a ferry to France. Didn't even talk to him, just said he always wanted to.

Don't think that's very funny, if Biggins had offered no provocation. Didn't your friend get into trouble for an unprovoked assault?

[zx50]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Don't think that's very funny, if Biggins had offered no provocation. Didn't your friend get into trouble for an unprovoked assault?

I don't actually believe it happened to be honest.

[WeAreParkLane]

Helen Rollason...(Grandstand presenter) Utter vile woman, dont mean to speak ill of the dead, but i worked in Dixons Brentwood and she was the rudest woman i have ever served. The manager asked her to leave.

Ross Kemp (in Dixons again) Was a pleasure.....sold him a playstation, demonstrated it with him, he bought it, then came back an hour later with tickets to his rugby game for all the staff.

Frank Bruno....again in Dixons, was in there to buy a camcorder after Franklin jr was born....phone rang and he picked it up saying "Dixons Romford...Frank Bruno speaking" then did his trademark laugh. Whoever was on the other end hung up. haha!


Steve Davis (snooker) horrible man

[Felis_Catus]

Originally Posted by dorydaryl

I LOVED that scene. Think RW will actually only say it now if a large donation is made to charity each time he does.

Pete Burns...why am I not surprised? Good to hear about Robert Englund. I remember him when he played a 'goodie' in the original 'V'.

Really like your username, btw!

I didn't know about the charity donation thing, but that seems quite reasonable

Pete Burns was so rude and I hope I never have the displeasure of seeing him again. I realise that when I meet famous people at conventions I'm paying for the privilege, but they have always been pleasant and I have a signed photo/item to keep forever.

And thank you for liking the name. I'm fond of cats and I liked the sound of the latin name for them

[NoWireHangers]

Susan Hampshire - an absolute delight. A lady in all senses of the word.

Lynsey dePaul - very nice and chatty and very pretty.

Siobhan Fahey - brilliant. Came out after the gig and had a drink and cigarette with everyone. Very down to earth.

Lynda Belligham - Lovely and extremely personable

Charlie Brooks - Very funny.

Steve Coogan - Gutted as he was absolutely miserable.

Ben Whishaw - Very shy.

[kensington25]

I used to work as a regular extra on Home and Away. I can confirm that Ray Meagher is absolutely lovely and was always very friendly. He would always say a cheery hello and would chat. Cornelia Frances was friendly enough though very posh. Loved her.

I once shared a dressing room with Chris Hemsworth when he played Kim on the soap. He went on to star in Thor. He struck up a conversation with me and was very very friendly and asked me about the UK and we talked about the Aussie actors who go over there to do panto.

Lyn Collingwood and Lynne McGranger are also very friendly and come across much like their characters.

I worked on several shows and Home and Away was always the most fun to work on. Everyone would chat to us humble extras unlike others shows and there was nobody I disliked. I found Kate Ritchie very shy but that is hardly a criticism. I miss it.

Below is my first "starring" role as an extra on the show playing a patient with severe burns.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6iw41jOipM

[afallingstar]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Don't think that's very funny, if Biggins had offered no provocation. Didn't your friend get into trouble for an unprovoked assault?

Originally Posted by zx50

I don't actually believe it happened to be honest.

I never said it was funny, just thought I'd bring it up. I kind of exaggerated the story, it was a friend of a friend, but yes it did actually happen. I am unaware what happened to him afterwards.

[Lilaeth]

Originally Posted by zx50

Yeah, he was pretty nasty when in Celebrity Big Brother in 2006. He was vile in that.

Shame that - I met Pete Burns when You Spin Me Right Round was in the charts, and he was really nice!

[wilehelmas]

Originally Posted by Eddie Badger

During the filming of The Magnificent Seven, Steve McQueen made a point of winding up Mr Brynner. His antics included fiddling with props whenever Brynner was talking to distract from Brynner and, when he noticed that Brynner would build little piles of earth to stand on so he would appear taller, McQueen would kick them down.

Quality!