Great Western Coffee Shop

I've seen a few famous faces over the years on trains or on stations. If I have a camera to hand and the subject is amenable I'll grab a quick snap. I always ask politely and take any refusals with good grace. Except the one from Bill Oddie, who practically bit my head off. That was after I'd opened a HST door for him that he was struggling with.  ::)

Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Law and Order UK)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/freemaagyeman_zpscd97f5a7.jpg)

Ronny Jhutti (Vexed, Ideal, Doctor Who)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/RonnyJhutti_zps12867195.jpg)

Peter Andre (Permanently on ITV2!)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/PeterAndre_zpsc537e459.jpg)

The talented, beautiful, gorgeous Jemima Rooper (Atlantis, Hex, As If, The Railway Children (remake))
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/JemimaRooper_zps0316b571.jpg)

Who have you seen on trains or at stations? And do you have the photos to prove it?  :P

(And yes, the gurning twonk in a couple of those pics is me.  :-[)

 

No photo to prove it, but I did carefully avoid 'bumping into' Bill Oddie when he was walking up the incline up to Bristol Temple Meads a few years ago - he was struggling towards the station with a huge holdall. I gave him a cheery nod and smile, which he acknowledged. ;)

I've met Frank Carson getting onto an HST at Bristol Temple Meads, too: staff were holding the door open for him, and grinning through gritted teeth at his rather predictable wisecracks.  ::)

However, I regret that I can't outbid you on being photted sitting next to Freema Agyeman: she's lovely!  :-*

I've been on a train towards Plymouth with one of the BBC Spotlight presenters on board. The name however escapes me. I also appreciate how they will only be famous within the confines of Devon & Cornwall (and parts of Dorset). :D

I trust the 'kiss' emoticon is for her, not me.  :P ;) ;D

Marcus Brigstock on the up platform at Par waiting for a London train.

No photo evidence, but Anne Diamond, Debbie Magee, Martin Keown and Jeremy Clarkson are regular travellers on the FGW network.  Though not on the same train as that would be quite a combination!  ;)

Hearing that Clarkson is a regular surprises me. I'd be even more surprised if he caught the bus link from Chipping Norton to Kingham!

Again, Bill Oddie (miserable git when i asked to check his railcard), Paul Young (lovely) Nigella Lawson, Lisa Faulkner, Gary Rhodes (chatty), James Tanner, Nathan Outlaw ( I see a pattern here) and recently the very talkative Sir Tim Rice, again very pleasant to meet!

Travelling down from Leeds (I think) I was in the same coach as Melvyn Bragg

When I used to work at a petrol station in an Oxfordshire village I served quite a few celebs (ok OT I know) but it was quite a while ago. Put it this way petrol was 38 pamper gallon (not per litre!)

Traveling from Leeds a few years ago, I was told by my travel companion that the people in the next seats were Donna and Marlon from Emmerdale. I wasn't sure who they were!

In the days when I worked for BR (first class of course)...Duke of Edinburgh in dining car...KGX to North...maybe three minders. Tony Blair Newcastle to south, with A N other. Said to my son 'there's the future PM back there'...of course he still remembers...ha! A few others of course not worth mentioning. 

Well over the years I've....

1. Joan Collins at Edinburgh when I was on Railway Duties

2. The Queen as a driver at Tattenham corner (I was driving her)

3. Harold Macmillan (ex prime minister who gave me a ^1 tip) at Victoria

4. Mr Cameron numerous times on the morning run on the cotswolds line

5. Carol Vornderman - sat and chatted to her on platform 7 when I was her driver on the 12 o'clock up

6. Timmy Mallet at cookham

7. Debbie Magee at Henley

8. Peter Gabriel (sat on the train talking old time Genesis between Swindon and Chippenham)

9. Chris Eubank at Hove Station (Told him to take his feet off the seats in the first class - he said "swthorry"

10. Jim Rosenthal at Borne End

11. Clarkson (Oxford)

12. Richard Branson (Oxford)

13. Lawrence Dellaligo (at Bath)

14. Henry Kelley (quite a lot at Paddington)

15. Noel Edmunds (Edinburgh - 1980 - Circuit driving in an Opal Manta at Ingleston but he got the train up)

16. Princess Anne (Kemble and Paddington)


........  I know there's more.....but I can't unite remember just now

I was at school with Frank's son Tony, and also knew his daughter Majella. I once, with others, spent a couple of hours trying unsuccessfully to tell him a joke he hadn't heard. He finished the punchline, and laughed like he'd never heard it before. I also saw him on Blackpool North Pier - he lived within half an hour's walk - where he did tell one I told him, about the Irish lad writing home to his mum, who ended the letter "PS I would have sent you that five pounds I owe you, but I had posted the letter before I remembered". He had his demons, but was a lovely man.

Not on a train but on a plane, my daughter works in a certain airbase media office. After Katie Melua, the Prime Minister, and the Princess Royal, she got her big job last weekend, when she had to look after (not a euphemism) that Gary Barlow for several hours. He arrived at 11pm, fresh from X Factor, and left about 4.30am - it was that very stormy Sunday night - for a warzone beginning with A. It hit the celeb mags and twitter as soon as he left that country, so I no longer have to shoot anyone who reads this. There are photos. I doff my cap - it is not an easy journey, and involves unusual flying techniques on approach to the airport.

There's probably some I have missed off, but i've had the following on my train..

*Liam Gallagher + entourage heading to Glastonbury - ironically on the same train full of glastonbury troops, oh if only they knew  ;D
*Dawn French (Hilarious).
*Jennifer Saunders
*Lenny Henry (He's a big bloke).
*Pauline Quirk
*Linda Robson
*Deborah Meaden (lovely).
*Tom Daley (just after the Olympics, so he pretty much spent 3 hours having photographs taken with everyone who walked past him).
*Peter Scudamore (Premier League boss).
*I once had Gavin Esler sat in coach A and Jeremy Vine in G on the same train.
*Philippa Thomas (BBC).
*Steve McFadden
*Neil Warnock
*David Dimbleby (Pullman).
*Peter Snow
*Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
*Kevin McCloud

And last but not least...

*bignosemac
*bobm

:D

I'm annoyed I missed Lucy Liu when she was filming 'Elementary' briefly at Paddington  :(

A friend has a photograph on Facebook of herself sat next to Buzz Aldrin in First Class on a Cross Country Voyager.

My only claim to fame (and probably not a celebrity to most people) is seeing Sir Anthony Epstein, discoverer of the Epstein-Barr Virus (the cause of glandular fever), on a FGW service.

I've met a few on trains over the years.

Trevor Eve was probably the most memorable as he was a smashing chap to chat too. Funnily enough I didn't at first realise who he was despite me really liking his character in Waking the Dead.

Often seen some of the actors from BBC Casualty in First Class on BRI - PAD Trains. Had a seat booked opposite Jane Hazlegrove in Coach H who played the role of Paramedic Dixie. That was so long ago, it was a Coach H which still had IC80 Seats. Ironically she'd just moved on some teenagers out of 1ST who had 'celeb spotted' her. I remember she was about to turn her attention to me before spotting my ticket on the table... Good decision ;D

I have also been in the same 1ST Compartment as Pixie Lott and her bully boy security team entourage.  They did not take at all kindly to me quoting to them the National Rail Conditions of Carriage... ;D I had a First Class ticket on a Brighton - London Victoria service made up of a single Class 442 (Short Formed). I made it clear in no uncertain terms that I was going to be sitting in the class of accommodation I had paid for and they were more than within their rights to call BTP and waste their time if they didn't like it. BTP Boarded at East Croydon just by chance and BTP sided with me just by looking at my ticket. Oh and Southern refunded my ticket too... So I can't complain too much on that front ;D

I too have seen Jeremy Clarkson on FGW Services.

My sister has also told me we were sat in the same carriage as one of the lads from boy band One Direction. I didn't believe her at the time. Having been forced to take her to see the film "1D This is us" I certainly believe her now... ;D

Finally, Some of the actors from TOWIE (The only way is Essex) in the London Euston First Class Lounge. That is a story for a different day though unless anyone wants to know! :P

TT you wait until I tell my daughter Charlotte,14 , she will be emerald green with envy!

I trust he was keeping costs to a minimum, travelling on a shoestring budget...

Paul

Paul that deserves a groan (I'm failing to think of any more puns )

He didn't have a return ticket, then?

Mr Aldrin should have been quite at home on a Voyager - see http://www.livescience.com/29182-what-is-the-vomit-comet.html (http://www.livescience.com/29182-what-is-the-vomit-comet.html)

I sat drinking with Michael Foot in the buffet at Temple Meads on a famous day in his life, a story I have told before and will not relate again. He was good company, and we did not discuss politics.

I will be meeting one of my heroes, again, next week. Dr Brian May CBE PhD FRAS.

Just saying. No railway link at all, save for having to catch the train to Bath to see him.  :P

Jeremy Clarkson travels on FGW?  I'm not sure I want to take up rail travel after all.  Can't stand the bloke. Sorry, all you Top Gear fans. :(

Personally I quite like the bloke, but I agree he can be very brash and offensive at times. No need to be sorry, we all have our different opinions :)

However if ANYONE could react to the following incident in the manor of which Mr Clarkson here does. Even if I despised them, they would have my respect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_p8AZzVmWI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_p8AZzVmWI)

* WARNING * If you have a drink in your hand, please put it down before watching ;D

Not many but over the years I have sat opposite or next to Gary Lineker, Ken Livingstone, William Franklyn, Ian Botham and David Icke.

Sorry, haven't learned how to insert part of a quote yet, but I just wanted to add to my comment about Jeremy Clarkson.  Did anyone see him on The One Show when he was complaining about trains stopping 'just because someone's jumped in front of them'.  How terribly inconvenient for the poor man to be held up in Reading under such circumstances....

Really, are there no depths to which this odious man is prepared to sink?  >:(

No John Prescott, then.

I love the Clarkson clip. A great testament to the man's character, but a sad reflection on the intelligence of the middle-class pie-throwing "activist", who is too stupid to see the irony in choosing as the location for her stunt a city made great by the motor car industry before Red Robbo and his chums brought it to its knees.

It's quite likely that the Jeremy Clarkson we see on our TVs and read in the papers is a character created by Jeremy Clarkson.

The same may, for all we know, be true of Dr Brian May CBE PhD FRAS...

Well, Dr Brian has gone a bit badger bonkers recently.

Depends what you mean by bonkers.  The argument is that the government position is scientifically flawed (i.e. the science says it will make things worse!)

That might be why a scientist with all those letters after his name is saying things about it.

When he makes poor comparisons such as this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/10259160/Criticising-the-RSPCA-is-like-wanting-paedophiles-to-escape-justice-Brian-May-claims.html

The badger cull may have been scientifically flawed but to say it could take us back to the Dark Ages where we burned supposed witches at the stake is a bit bonkers. He may be a hero of mine, for the music mainly, but those particular comments, in my opinion, did no favours to his point of view.

And I think the science is currently saying the cull may make things worse, rather than will.

I'm very much on the side of those opposing the cull of badgers, but the anti- and pro- sides should stick to the science.

I also share some of the concern that the RSPCA has lost its way somewhat. Brian May, as a vice-president of the charity, is entitled to defend it, but to label its critics as, "pro-cruelty" and "utterly ruthless", and to say such criticism is "...like wanting paedophiles to escape justice", is again, in my opinion just a little bonkers.

There are many instances where RSPCA Inspectors have been abusing their limited powers and have started prosecutions with little or no evidence of actual cruelty, including prosecuting the elderly and children. That's to say nothing of the 50,000+ animals the RSPCA euthanises each year.

Though why they chose to site a world renowned university so close to the motor industry I'll never know. Do you think all the american tourists are disappointed when they arrive and can't find a British Leyland factory, just a library, and a few fancy colleges.

Yes, I take your point (which I presume is somewhat tongue-in-cheek). If I was being pedantic, I should have said " ... made great, AMONG OTHER THINGS, by ...". As a native, and, until recently, a resident of Oxford, I am very proud of our university. But neither can the achievements of William Morris be belittled, and I am proud of our car-making, marmalade-making, canal-building, publishing and league-cup winning achievements among many other facets of Oxford life which have existed before and since the establishment of the university.

Ah, yes: John 'two jabs' Prescott's robust response to an egg-throwing heckler. Classic!  ;) :D ;D

Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary has sat next to me a couple of times on my morning commute. And yesterday evening, at St Margaret's station, Charlie Stayte (BBC Breakfast News presenter) was on the platform waitimg to board the 1800 train to Waterloo.

A few more, but the railway links are tenuous:

Arthur Smith, photted very near Cardiff Bay station
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/Arthursmith_zps7bd81d98.jpg)

Pete Waterman, tinkering away at STEAM, Swindon
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/pete_zpsd9566d23.jpg)

Brian May. I had to catch the train to see him! (Nov 2009 - hoping for a repeat on 14th Nov 2013)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/Brian_zps01a15092.jpg)

I had a letter published in the Times on the back of that one. It was on the lines of "By way of involving myself in the political process, I had decided to go to one of John Prescott's rallies, and throw some eggs at him. I have changed my mind in light of recent events, and may visit his website instead." Got a mention on Radio 2, as well. If you can remember the date, you can check it out. FTR, I thought Prezza's actions to be entirely understandable, if not entirely justifiable, and probably added to his political - er - clout.


In my experience, American tourists would visit Oxford to see people concerned with the higher things in life, rather than the day-to-day minutiae, to see people in unusual garments reading books and pamphlets in alcoves, or on benches in leafy corners, or in pubs or cafes, enhancing their knowledge not always of their chosen subject in life, but of that vast universal miscellany that informs and educates every well-spent life. An archaic language to which few outsiders were privy merely added to the sense of absolute majesty of the occasion. They don't have this in the USA, a semi-formal forum where peers discuss philosophical and political theories, untroubled by the need to cloud the mind with unseemly thoughts of manual labour.

In the afternoon, after the car works, they would visit the university.

It was 16 May 2001 - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/16/newsid_4098000/4098929.stm  ;) :D ;D

Did some work experience with him in the Castle Hotel, Taunton.


I worked in a petrol station many moons ago also. Once sold a bag of anthracite to Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Had to load it into his car as he was having trouble with his grip, because he was recovering from frostbitten fingertips.

Brian May again.  :D

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/bmbath_zpse02b70e1.jpg)

I want to break free......   ;D

♪...dandled on his knee.♫

That's one for the more die-hard Queen fans.  ;D

Bignosemac, your cap will become almost as famous as the celebs on this forum with all these pictures featuring it!

Ah, but he hasn't (sadly) got a picture of that cap with Vicki Butler Henderson in it.  :P ::) ;D

I've obviously mentioned my 'thing' for VBH to CfN, although I don't remember doing so.  :-[

I have met her before, but I don't have any picture evidence. Cap or no cap.  :P

But who knows? I've a bit of a 'thing' for Jemima Rooper also, and our paths crossed recently, inspiring this topic...

VBH would probably also have her picture without a cap wearing gurning twonk in it.

Oh, she has a whole topic of her own, in our 'frequent posters' board, at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=9246.0  ;) :D ;D

Aha, I knew I'd covered that encounter somehow. Forgotten that I did it semi-publicly though.  :-[

Papped another celeb (with permission) yesterday. In 1st Class between London St Pancakes and Nottingham.

Dennis Pennis... Mike Strutter... Thoros of Myr from Game of Thrones... that annoying sidekick of Victor Chandler in the BetVictor TV adverts. Aka Paul Kaye:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/101_3125_zpse4f3db07.jpg)

Imagine how nerve racking it must be to drive the train with the QUEEN onboard. Do you have to drive differently e.g. softer breaking?

Not many celebes for me, the main ones I can think of:
- Alistair Darling at Edinburgh in 1st class EC.
- Ian McMillan at Birmingham Snow Hill
- some Z lister from Hollyoaks at London Euston (apparently)

Whilst I understand why environmentalists don't like him, it is very important that non politically correct people such as Jeremy Clarkson are on TV, just to begin to counteract the copious amounts of liberal PC claptrap on the airwaves!

Only fair that I publicly thank bobm for the help identifying my latest 'stalk'.

I saw Paul Kaye sat opposite me on the 1415 St Pancakes to Nottingham service but couldn't remember his full name. No t'internet to hand so I texted bobm asking, "Favour. Google 'Dennis Pennis' - real name? It's Paul something..."

Got the right answer, but still slightly embarrassed myself when I said, "Sorry to bother you, you're Peter Kay aren't you?"  :-[

As a matter of interest, did Paul Kaye recognise you as that moderator on the Coffee Shop forum?  :P ;) ;D

I did have my ubiquitous cap on...

I didn't see Paul Kaye, but I did spot other cast members from Game of Thrones heading back to filming after lunch. This was at the end of September 2013 in Diocletian's Palace, Split, Croatia. Not on a train, though.

(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/Thrones_zps86ed2f6a.jpg)

Didn't know bignosemac was a GC fan I thought Butler Henderson was a D11 4-4-0 62660. So who is Vikki Butler Henderson! I'll log off now!

A little bit late to this topic, Timothy Spall was in the same carriage as me on a service to or perhaps from Cardiff Central about 20 years ago. No photo evidence though.

I wonder whether Vicki Butler-Henderson is related to the Great Central Railway director, Eric Butler-Henderson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Henderson,_1st_Baron_Faringdon#Honours), after whom 62660 was named?

You could have asked her ...  :P ::) ;D

My own online research suggests that Eric Butler-Henderson is Vicki's great-grandfather.

Eric was the youngest son of  Alexander Henderson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Henderson,_1st_Baron_Faringdon). Eric change his surname from Henderson to Butler-Henderson upon marriage to a Sophia Butler-Massey.

Eric and Sophia beget Lionel Butler-Henderson, who beget Guy Butler-Henderson, Vicki's father.

I'd suggest using 'begat' rather than 'beget', but otherwise, I'd agree.  ;D

My spell check auto corrected there. Now, do I go for begat or begot as the past tense?

Or should I just go with 'sired'?  :P

I'd suggest 'begat' is the past tense, in the sense of describing someone's ancestry.  However, 'sired' could be an albeit archaic alternative term.  ;)

There is another word for it...

I'll beget me coat.

On the 1518 Paddington-Bedwyn today, I sat opposite Sir Max Hastings.

Lives in the Hungerford area apparently, and was returning from memorial service for Sir David Frost at Westminster Abbey today.

Had a brief chat with comedian Tony Hawks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Hawks) on an Exeter-Waterloo service yesterday (03/06). No photographic evidence as yet. I'm still awaiting the email...

I've read all his books. If you've not read Round Ireland with a Fridge (the film's not too bad either) then give it a go. It's an unusual travelogue where Tony hitch-hikes his way around Ireland with a small fridge. The result of accepting a drunken bet made with fellow comedian (and featured in this thread) Arthur Smith - "I hereby bet Tony Hawks the sum of One Hundred Pounds that he cannot hitch hike around the circumference of Ireland with a fridge within one calendar month."

Ok, sited between London and South Wales over the last couple of years:

Simon Weston
Gareth Edwards (welsh rugby legend apparently ;-) )
The guy who plays Charlie on casualty, who seemed a genuinely nice guy
Rhydian (singer)
Rhys Ifans (actor)
Malky Mackay (ex Cardiff football manager)

Derek Thompson - I once served him in the Highbury Vaults in Bristol. Didn't go as I would have liked, as he also wanted a bottle of wine to take to a party, and the landlord wanted to charge him the glass rate.

Ah yes, that's the chap. I guess you saw him when they used to film in Bristol, it's now shifted to Cardiff which is where he was on his way to when sighted by myself.

Also one time saw a number of sky sports presenters heading to Swansea  shortly before they were promoted to the premiership. They were pretty loud and obnoxious in a 'look at me' sort of way in the quiet carriage...

And on the football theme I once saw Rio Ferdinand heading out of Euston

Indeed: in the very early 1990s, I once literally bumped into Derek Thompson and Nigel Le Vaillant (who played another Casualty character at that time) standing at the bar in the Coronation Tap in Clifton.  They were both fine about it.  :-[

I once bumped into the band One Direction. They didn't have return tickets.

I didn't meet Matt Smith, but I have been a bit of a Doctor Who fan since episode One with William Hartnell. So it was, on Christmas Day 2012, with Mrs FT, N! working, I sat down, glass in hand, to watch the Christmas special, having by this time forgotten all the cares of work, safe in the knowledge that three further days will pass before I need to be reminded of them again.

(http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/Boyamijealous_7108a707/DoctorWho_zps44d2a328.jpg)

The Doctor is standing outside my office, about to pull a ladder from the sky.

Coo, yeah.

Portland Square, Bristol. I'd forgotten there was some filming there for the 2012 Xmas spesh.

I like the way they've disguised the modern cycle racks with some carts, and the CCTV pole with an obelisk.

Also, have to ask FT,N. After seeing this episode, and on returning to work after the Xmas break, did you pop out in your lunch hour and jump around in that square trying to grab the hidden sky ladder?

I'm always eyes peeled for celebs when on my travels on the rail network. Today I spotted five of 'em. Four were in 1st Class Lounges at railway stations, so asking to photograph them wasn't really on. Those four were:

Ellie Simmonds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellie_Simmonds). Euston 1st Class Lounge. We chatted briefly.
Katie Hopkins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Hopkins). Paddington 1st Lounge. No way was I striking up a conversation with her.
Dr Mark Porter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Porter_(doctor)) (TV doctor/BBC 'One Show' regular). Paddington 1st Class Lounge. Chatted about the footie.
Alex James. Bassist with Blur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_James_(musician)). We chatted for a good 10 minutes in the lounge at Paddington. I thanked him for the music of course. Back in the day I was something of a Brit Pop fan. Gushed a bit about the 'Parklife' album and seeing Blur live in '97.

The final celeb spotted today was out in the wild so I grabbed a photo. 'To cut along story short', this guy was amenable to my photo request. It's 'True' I tell you. He was as good as 'Gold'...

Guess who and I'll post the pic...

(WARNING. The pic will include a flat cap wearing gurning twonk)

Martin Kemp?

Close. But not his brother either.

Rather than keep you all in suspense, and as I'm shortly out the door and away for a few days here's the pic:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/toadyhanley_zps2d9b621b.jpg)

I once spent 18hrs on an RAF flight to the Falklands with Tony Hadley (he was going there to do a "gig for the troops" - and had a beer with him during the very tropical overnight stop at Ascension on the way. Very decent chap. We spoke a lot about the Kemps (who he wasn't best mates with at the time, IIRC)

The flight deck crew had a bit of fun at his expense with the arrival announcement for Ascension. Memory fades but it was something like:

"To cut a long story short", it's "True" that we will be landing at Ascension in 30 minutes. The met men deserve a "Gold" as the forecast for our arrival is good. We'll have you "Through the barricades" and into the Terminal as soon as possible after our arrival. "I'll fly for you"!

It was all taken in good spirits. The RAF flights to the Falklands are the only ones that have alcohol on board, and I think Tony and his entourage finished it off.

He had John Keeble, formerly Spandau Ballet's drummer with him, and he was an equally down-to-earth, decent guy.

Not sure if this counts, but I've just seen Christian O'Connell, absolute radio dj formerly of Xfm walking past Dorking Deepdene station.

Baroness Shirley Williams on 12:56  Macclesfield Euston today 21/7.

Purely in the spirit of 'the lighter side', an anagram of 'Shirley Williams' is 'I whirl aimlessly' ...  :P

One of the union magazines in the 1980s (or was it 90s?) - the health service one that became part of Unison - had a crossword clue: "I'm an evil Tory bigot (8,9)"

Any takers? I thought it nearly as clever as: "E (13)", which appeared in the Grauniad.

Virginia Bottomley

Oi!  Mind yer language!  :o ::) ;D

After a bit of googling, I found the answer to E (13)... fiendish!

 ;D

Frack Our Town!

Fiendish indeed! I too had to Google. An answer of sublime vacuousness and totally lacking in meaning.

How many letters?

Russell Howard on 1A37 Tuesday Night where he boarded at Bristol Temple Meads :) (21:29 Taunton - London Paddington)

No picture as travelling in First Class so wasn't really on :)

I am still taking fire from my sister on this one :-X ::)

Celebs I've spotted but never talked to on the railway network are:

Sophie Dahl at Paddington
Claire Grogan at Victoria
Alan Bennett at Reading
Michael Grade at Salisbury
The bloke that played Boycie on an SWT towards Waterloo
Ken Loach at Bath (he's a regular at Bath on a Sunday afternoon)
Jeremy Guscott at Bath
Julia Davis and her Mighty Boosh husband, Julian Barrett at Bath
Jon Richardson at Swindon (I had never heard of him before watching some comedy panel show the night before!!)
MP Margaret Hodge at Bath
Robin Ince (comedian) at Paddington

Away from the rail network, but my annual meet up with Brian May occurred yesterday, 27th November 2014.

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/bmb1_zpsa260736e.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/bmb2_zps668ec6eb.jpg)

 ;D

Don't suppose it crossed your mind to sneak up behind him and shout BADGER BADGER BADGER!?

Stalking again today.  ;D

Danny Goffey out of 90s Britpop band Supergrass.

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/rps20150421_112058_zpshhnlk23z.jpg)

Not on the rail network, but on the tube network if that counts - got into the lift at Regents Park a few weeks ago and spotted Rory Bremner standing at the other end. No-one else had clocked him (or maybe cared who it was), but he did smile when he realised I had.

Word reaches me that a friend had Lorraine Chase as a travelling companion yesterday...

Indeed I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours dining with her on the Pullman.  I learned a few things about her which are not on Wikipedia!  She was very amused that just before Cogload Junction, as is my habit, I took hold of my wine glass and bottle before we lurched right towards Castle Cary.  She quickly surmised I was a regular traveller.

..and no she didn't have a Campari!

Nor, I'm told, had she wafted in from Luton Airport.  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaEjIlZsuTg

Meanwhile, not quite in the same league, but apparently I am known as the "hard egg guy" on the South Wales brunch Pullman!

Soda ... or lemonade ...?  You're just trying to wind me up!  :o ::) ;D

As I've said before, you can drink it however you darn well please.  :P ;) ;D

Hugh Fearnley - Whittingstall once spilt coffee on me on a Plymouth-Paddington service one Sunday afternoon and minced off without so much as an apology, the ignorant so and so! The fact that I was massively hungover didn't help.

Once sat opposite former footballer Rodney Marsh when heading West who had everyone in the carriage in stitches with various anecdotes!

When I was about 3 (1990) I remember standing on (the old) P4 at Reading and my mum making me wave at a lady who was on an HST heading towards Padd on P5 and she waved back at me. At the time I was too young to understand who it was but turned out it was Princess Diana.

As for more recent memories last year I was on a train at a private railway and Phillip Schofield was on the footplate.
Also at the same location over the years I have seen Jeremy Paxman and 'Timmy Mallet'

A glass is helpful, but by no means essential.

Stalking again.

Natural history television presenter, Nigel Marven:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSC_0189_zpsotm8pzfr.jpg)

;D

The gurning twonk stalking again.

TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/Mobile%20Uploads/rps20150825_092959_zpsbzossnuz.jpg)

Grrrrrr............I once saw Hugh F-W on a train, the ignorant so and so spilt coffee all over me and minced off without so much as an apology.............BNM if you tell me you did similar to him I will happily fund a night on the ale for you, in Wetherspoons or any other venue!  ;D

(That offer is good for anyone who does the honours by the way!!!)

Perfect gentleman. Of course I did mention that I have a couple of the River Cottage books, the one on meat is well thumbed, and also mentioned that I've dined a couple of times in the River Cottage Canteen in Bristol.

He's near the top of my list of favourite TV chefs. After Rick Stein and ahead of Nigeria Lawman.

EDIT: Great auto correct there. I'm leaving that it in!

.........if you get an email from a Nigeria Lawman asking you for your bank account details in return for a share of $6 million dollars from an inheritance down Lagos way, ignore it.

Ludovic Kennedy (author)
Sara Keays (remember Cecil P?)
Richard Ingrams (the Eye)

All very pleasant company.

OTC

One I forgot - the legendary Zinzan Brooke on a train returning from Twickenham to Windsor following an England v All Blacks match (England lost) - smashing chap, very friendly to all concerned.

On Platform 1 at PAD at about 1500 this afternoon, outside the First Class Lounge - David Walliams.

Several others trying to get selfies with him, so didn't bother him further.

Yet again, nowhere near a train, but it's become a bit of a tradition on this thread for me to post my meetings with this particular rock god.

They say you should never meet your heroes. Fifth time for me and still a thrill. Despite my rictus grin.
 
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/rps20170530_194642_zpsl18vddo4.jpg)

Rod Stewart is looking his age these days  ;)

Geoff and Vicky of course, between Exeter St David's and Central.

I didn't realise that was Rod Stewart with Brian May.

I don't believe it.... Victor Meldrew is in the background of my mates photo of tornado in cornwall. Near Long Rock it looks like.

The shirt matches the leopardskin trousers.

Spotted a couple of celebrities at Paddington this morning.

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8VBuNEcQ7EgSVdidUNFaUVoSkU)

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8VBuNEcQ7EgWkRLSW5NdmJWMzA)

Mention the chins and I'll slap ya!  :P

So did I....Mr Wakely, Finn and a flat cap!

A pleasure to meet you to Mr Class 180. :D

Well at least BNM isn't gurning.....

My bit of celeb spotting today......

The forum's own roving reporter looking rather lost amongst the masses in Coach B of the 0930 BRI-PAD
(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B4gC2QiJLRu3bS1sandLM0tBZ00)

Worse than that.  Apparently I pinched BNM’s seat!!

Finn's fault. I had to wait on the platform for him to finish his breakfast.

What are those funny tabs sticking out of the seats?    They look very similar to the old reservation systems on HSTs (remember them?) which have been replaces easy to read coloured lights  ;D

You mean the 'easy to read colour lights that failed before the train left PAD this morning and were replaced by bits of cardboard on the back of the seats'  ;D

Apparently the funny tabs are grab handles for Snow White's attendants as they go off to work down the aisle. I heard somebody mention that they are likely to be bashed by the passing buffet trolley, but in reality they actually sit inside the profile of the arm rests.

They did get the reservations working for the 09:30 from Bristol, only problem was it was at about 11:43, half hour after its arrival from Bristol and just before departure to Swansea. After a moment or two they switched them off again.