Bumping into famous people in the street

The freakiest incident I ever had was in Afleks palace, manc, when Mark Owen mistook me for a store assistant and asked me whether he could try a coat on. "Course you can, " I said. By the way, Thom Yorke didn't really wink at you - his eye does that all the time! In wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish, but enivrez-vous! The art is to be absolutely yourself -Charles Baudelaire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmhEMPN7y1I

Which of the two, Ron or Russell, had the number one dong in heaven? Cheers, Mark

Stephen Hawking's And i will always regret not asking him that dam question!

i drunkenly accosted eddie izzard at the fleadh a few years ago, he was in high heels and leather trousers, and looked terrified of me tbh - but shook my hand very quickly, refused a hug, and tottered off in the mud

I spotted Stephanie Cole in the dressing room of a gym in Belsize Park.I avoided her totally as you do in dressing rooms but also because I thought she was a gynaecologist I had consulted.Later thought OOOh Stepanie Cole played a docter in Tenko which explains my association.I think I have bumped into Richard E Grant in Sainsburys Tun Wells (they are always filming here) and Boris Becker in a train station.They both gave me a yes it is me brill smile as I did a no it isnt someone I know swerve.Deliberately I approached Omar Sharrif for a greeting when I was a sprig but he had been primed as was a friend of my Dads.

When I was in my teens a friend and I swiftly followed (as opposed to chased, ahem) Frankie Howerd down Kensington High Street. He was a real sweetie, signed stuff for us and chatted for a few minutes. I gather he wasn't always so nice but on that occasion he made our day. In a previous life I used to book bands for a Students Union. My most treasured memories are of the late, great Alex Harvey (so pissed he fell off the stage) and The Troggs (so pissed they started punching each other and anyone else who happened to be around}.

i saw frankie howerd in concert, in the mid 80s he had a bit of a revival, i know that isn't really bumping into him but i did once see him walking near sloane sq - he was holding on to his hair as it was a bit blowy

I went to a stag weekend in Liverpool about 10 or so years ago. We stayed at the posh-ish hotel where all the Spice Boys, -Robbie Fowler and his pals- got into trouble. As usual I was first down to the bar; the only other guy there was a dignified old chap who had his cashmere coat on - even though the bar was quite warm. Just to be sociable I sat next to him and said 'good evening', when he answered I recognised the voice. Knowing him to be a big Rugby fan and Irish to boot, I asked him what he'd thought of Ireland's performance against England the previous week. He was charming, super-pleasant and bought me a pint. After about 15 minutes my herd of Stag party-ers spewed out of the lift. The unmistakable, and loud, scouse accent of the prospective groom echoed across the lobby: 'Ay der, it's dat Richard O'Toole!' The actor gave a wry smile, as though amused at the conflation of his name with that of one of his greatest friends; I could have died.

Think The Avengers: I too was in or rather just around from High St. Kens. Diana Rigg hoved into view and then Joanna Lumley. And they had no knowledge of each other I'll wager. Beat that!

I once met Max Bygraves in Kington St Michael. He was carrying a hamster in a cage, and he didnt look in a very good mood. I nodded hello as I passed and I'm pretty sure I heard him call me a bastard. Although he may have been talking to the hamster.

A few years ago I came across Derek Hatton in M&S in Warrington. The aisles were stacked up, and there wasn't much room to get through. He was standing as if in a daze, blocking my way to Homeware. I caught his eye. He grinned at me and said "Alright?" with an undercurrent of "Yes, that's right, I'm Derek Hatton". I'm still not sure if he knew I just wanted him to move.