Behind the public image

[sunnybob]

Shaking Stevens, before he got "discovered" was singer with the group "Shaking Stevens and the Sunsets. We would go drinking before the gig each time he sang at the 59 club paddington. Also Crazy Cavan and Trevor (cant remember his last name) from the sunsets who then went to Matchbox. But that was just shy of a half century ago. Nobody worthy of note recently.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

And you think Shakin' Stevens IS worthy of note then?

 

[Bm101]

I cleaned the windows at Jeffrey Archers flat. He came up to the window and pointed at the corner like I'd missed it. I hadn't. He phoned my firm up and complained about 'shoddy practice' even my boss was laughing about the pot calling the kettle black. Another time he gave my 'Leading Hand' now theres an insight into old school window cleaners speak for you, a massive tube telly before the days of flat screens. George carried it down 9 flights of stairs and when he got home it didn't work. Janet Street Porter's husband came out and moaned about us using the cherrypicker 'near his house'. Then she came out. Obnoxious doesn't cover it. She assailed my sense of decorum. Used to do that architect, Norman Foster and his building in Battersea. Knobber. He talked to his 'staff' like servants. Insisted on us using the travelling ladder rather than abseiling it even though it was a deathtrap. To my old firms eternal shame they complied. A guy called Dave sliced the top off three fingers on it later. Ken Livingstone at a launch of some billboard campaign with all the press there. I shouted out Ken! Ken! and waved. He waved back looking round at the press guys with a smile. When I shouted 'one out all out comrade!' his smile faded. (He might be a nice fella though Lurker but it made me smile ) Was never a great fan of Vanessa Feltz and then for some mad reason pulled up to her at the lights at the top of Regent Street 3 days in a row. Second day she recognised us, third day I gave her a massive pantomime wink in her tiny car and she laughed herself silly. Fair play. Liked her ever since. My Favourite ever was Richard Whitely outside the Sloane Club. Lovely lovely man.

 

[sunnybob]

And you think Shakin' Stevens IS worthy of note then?

He WAS. As much as the rest of the has beens mentioned above.

 

[Mark A]

I was an extra in Rambo 3...shot many years ago in Southern Israel when I was backpacking. Stallone was the biggest John Thomas I've ever met in my life....and that's saying summat!

Just noticed that Rambo 3 is on TV now. Which scene are you extra-ing?

 

[Claymore]

.........

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Yes...thankyou gents!!!

I had two parts (yes I know stunt cod piece...).

I was a Russian Spetsnaz...in the scene where they're walking over the mountain in single file, I'm the penultimate soldier, in full combat fatigues.

Also several places an Afghan peasant (my true station in life) in the local garb they're wearing. In the scene where they're kicking that goat around on horseback and the gun ship comes....I was running like mad towards the camera...only thing missing was "hello mum" on my forehead

They paid 20 sheckles a day from memory and I started out on the set as the spud pealer in the kitchen The bus used to pick us up from Eilat at 5am

 

[Baldhead]

In the late 60's early 70's I met Jackie Charlton at a wedding, I wasn't a guest, the reception was held in the estate I used to live in, my recollections were of a giant of a man, very nice who chatted with us whilst signing scraps of paper we produced, his older brother Bobby was also there but would'nt come to the door.
Jackie is a down to earth Northumbrian, a genuine, nice guy, he used to host (and may still do) a disabled anglers competition on Kielder Water, he used to approach the fly fishing club I was a member of for volunteers, everyone wanted to help.

Stew

 

[John Brown]

Thirty or so years ago, Tommy Baldwin used to serve behind the bar at my local pub. I believe the landlord was a friend of his. I've never been a football fan - always thought they were overpaid thugs - but Tommy was the nicest man you could want to meet.

 

[whiskywill]

I was an extra in the BBC series The Hollow Crown. Despite spending the best part of two days with Geoffrey Palmer he never once said hello or even acknowledged my presence .

Simon Russell Beale, who played the part of Sir John Falstaff, was a complete gentleman and Julie Walters chatted like an old friend.

 

[custard]

While I was training to be a croupier (and ended up working at Charlie Chesters Casino in Archer Street Soho 89-92 so we might have crossed paths Katellwood) I worked in a pub called the John Snow

Small world, before I took up furniture making full time I spent twenty odd years working in Soho Square, I sometimes parked in the Poland Street NCP which is just around the corner from the John Snow.

 

[katellwood]

While I was training to be a croupier (and ended up working at Charlie Chesters Casino in Archer Street Soho 89-92 so we might have crossed paths Katellwood) I worked in a pub called the John Snow

Small world, before I took up furniture making full time I spent twenty odd years working in Soho Square, I sometimes parked in the Poland Street NCP which is just around the corner from the John Snow.

I remember the John Snow well, (rafezetter you probably served me on more than one occasion) wasn't he the guy who took the handle off the water pump which led to a cure or prevention of cholera and suggested everyone drink beer as the brewing process kills the bug (man deserves a medal) its just round the corner from Trenchard Section House, Broadwick Street, I also recall an old fashioned timber merchants in Poland Street as well, Long gone now.

I also used to swim regularly in Marshall Street Baths

Another memory from my time up there and just round the corner is a place called Walkers Ct which joined Berwick St Market to Brewer Street, Walkers Ct had a bridge over it which had an excellent view of Rupert St a well known drug dealing area.

Myself and a colleague were tasked to observations of Rupert Street from the bridge. However, the room adjoining was the practice room for the dancers in Raymonds Revue bar and there they were dancing away, completely naked and very sociable

not many drug dealers got nicked that day

The best days of my career was spent working Soho a proper 24/7 community with so many interesting people

 

[Benchwayze]

I was on duty in Brum centre one night, checking licensed premises. (Yes we did do that in the eighties). At a large pub in Thorpe street near the Hippodrome, there was a function going on, thrown by one of the bigger TV drama shows, and the place was full of celebs.

I was tucked in a corner next to the bar chatting to the licensee and I had my helmet, upside down, in my hand. I realised someone had come up to the bar, and I heard heard a gruff voice, I recognised say, 'What you got there Sarge? A begging bowl?'
I looked up to see Tommy Trinder; grinning at me.
I grinned back and said, 'Yes Tommy, and I ain't having much luck!'
He shoved a twenty in my hat! 'There you go Sarge; that's for the 'Widows and Orphans' box!'

 

[dc_ni]

I forgot...I also met Fred Dibnah at Heathrow. He was on his way to South Africa to install an enormous weather vane he had made himself as a commission for some posh client. He was lost and trying to find his check in desk. In fact lost was an understatement, he was totally and utterly confused about airport protocol generally. I guided him in the right direction and he ended up clinging to me all the way to the departure lounge where we had a lovely natter and a coffee until we went on separate flights. He was EXACTLY like you saw him on the tele which is to say completely himself, obsessed with steam and all things metal and just a lovely bloke, totally unaffected in any way.

You lucky sod, if there is one person I wish I could of met it would be Fred, but unfortunately for all of us we will no longer have the chance

I think the thing that made him so great was that he didn't seem affected by the whole fame thing, just carried on being himself. A lot of today's celebrities come across as obnoxious tw@ts who believe the hype machine that follows them around.