Claim To Fame Man www.pmadamson.co.uk
The A-Z of Claims To Fame - Near Misses and Tenuous Links
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Claim To Fame Man www.pmadamson.co.uk The A-Z of Claims To Fame - Near Misses and Tenuous Links |
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This section highlights the Claims that got away.
To get a real Claim to Fame you should at least shake hands or talk to the well known person or be involved in some capacity. To see them walking down the road is not really a Claim to Fame, but still an exciting moment if you are that way inclined. My Claims have actually involved the person in some capacity so this page is merely sightings or the ones that got away. I have now also included tenuous links in this section and not so close shaves.You judge for yourselves as you get glimses of the unreal world.
Malcolm Allison- Saw Malcolm Allison the great Manchester City coach at United's training ground for an A team game, probably spying but didn't take my autograph book that day.
John Bardon - Actor. Appeared in a variety of roles including The Sweeney, Dad's Army and Are you being served. I saw him live when he played Chalkie White in the stage production of Andy Capp at Manchester's Royal Exchange. The show was premiered in Manchester before moving to London so another claim there I suspect.(See also Tom Courtney and Alan Price)
Kenny Ball - Saw the great Jazzman through a window at a charity football match but he never joined the outside mob.
Saw Dawn Bibby (Create and Craft) at the Manchester Craft show. Didn't have a chat but should have as I descend from The Bibby Family of Preston and Oswaldtwistle isn't too far away. Naturally I was only there for my better half but was spotted by a work colleague - not good but my secret was never broken.
I went into the players lounge at Blackburn Rovers training ground after a session. I saw Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and a few I didn't recognise.I kept a professional silence so no claims recorded there.
Danny Boyle - Film Director, Slumdog Millionaire etc - Danny was a member of Radcliffe St.Mary's Social Club when we used to hold our referees meetings there. I must have been in on numerous ocassions when Danny was chilling out but never actually met him but it is certainly a near miss. Who knows what could have transpired had we have met. I could have been composing soundtracks for his great films. Still open to offers.
Basil Brush - When I went to the 2000th Weakest link as a former contestant Basil Brush was on the show. I was positioned square on in the audience and consequently didn't get filmed to avoid the nation seeing that Basil was a man in a box - oh no ! what a give away. Any way, I must say that he was brilliantly quick witted throughout the show and as far as I am concerned he will always be a real Fox'
Bon Jovi - My son was out and about in the works van and a police escort went passed them with 3 mercedes Limo's. Bon Jovi were on at the Old Trafford Cricket ground that night so it could well have been them. But ! a tricky near miss or non event. Could it have been someone else such as visiting Royalty who were going to the Bon Jovi concert ? Do Rock Bands get Police escorts anyway ? If anyone knows the answer we can place it here as an official near miss.
B.T. Took the family to an audition to be the BT family in an advert. We had a good laugh queing up but didn't make it to the last 5,000. Probably didn't help that Mum wouldn't come with us which must have put us at a disadvantage not being a complete family.
Eric Cantona - A work colleagues husband worked for a team of solicitors and consequently following some work for a company was offered a place at The MEN Arena for a David Bowie concert in a private box but said they would have to share it. On arrival at the ground they took up their place and in walked Eric Cantona. They reported that he was very nice and a pleasure to share the box with. I also worked with Alan Wikie who was the ref who sent Eric Cantona off after the kicking a spectator incident at West ham. (See Alan Wilkie)
The Casuals - I was performing at The Lincolnshire Autism Rally in 2011 and a fellow guitar player introduced himself as the cousin of Ian Good. Ian joined the Casuals who went on to win Opportunity Knocks and were signed by Fontana in the UK and then CBS to perform in Italy doing translated versions of English hits. They reached number one in Italy with Massachusettes which had been a hit in the UK for The Bee Gees. The Casuals finally had a UK hit (No 2) with Jesamine which was co-written by Marty Wilde and Ronnie Scott. Ian Good was a member of the band from 1962 to 1967.
Catchphrase - ITV - If only I had passed the audition I could have met Roy Walker and Mr Chips. Nothing fishy about it, if at first you don't succeed, nothing ventured nothing gained - I would have got them all I'm sure.
Sir Winston Churchill - I certainly have a few tenuous links to the great War Hero. One of my line managers' father once had afternoon tea with Sir Winston. I also own a 1965 Churchill crown and once displayed the Churchill Nodding dog in the back of my car until until it nodded too much and the head fell off.
Stan Collymore (Footballer - Aston Villa, Liverpool etc) Stan waas guest speaker at an FA Mental Health conference, the same one where I had a chat with Ray Stubbs but I didn't get a chance to have a chat with Stan. I must say though that he gave a very thoughtful presentation and clearly has the experience to help others in a positive way.
Phil Cool - Was a pupil at Holy Cross, Chorley (Formerly St Augustine's Boys School) Unfortunately it was several years before I worked there. I did try and get the school to ask him to be guest of honour at a presentation evening but the idea was put down with a sugestion he would have been better at a jumble sale. I was quite disgusted that a megastar should be cast aside by his former teachers in such a derogatory manner.Phil it's the schools loss. Real school name was Phil Martin.
On a coach trip to the Old Wembley Stadium we saw Barry Cryer walking along the side of the coach while we were stopped at Traffic Lights. I suppose going to the Old Wembley is quite impressive on it's own.
Sir Thomas Courtney (Tom Courtney) -Actor. The Lonliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962), Billy Liar (1963), and Dr, Zhivago (1965). Saw him live in the Premier of Andy Capp in Manchester. Come to think of it I saw Dr.Zhivago at the cinema but can't claim anything at all on that one unless of course I was sat near someone who was about to be famous who I didn't notice at the time. Anyone famous out there who went to see Doctor Zhivago at the Rialto in Salford, or maybe the County ?
Bernard Cribbins - Sang 'Right Said Fred' and 'Diggin a Hole' from the great novelty song era was Godfather to an old school friend of mine.
Dennis The Menace - I wrote to D.C.Thomson and Co Ltd of Aberdeen to ask permission to use the famous characters from the Dandy, Beano, Beezer etc in my Comic Characters song and offered them a mention in my Claim to Fame column if Dennis the Menace replied personally. Sadly it became a near miss when the reply stated that Dennis could not reply personally because he was indisposed and this had nothing to do with the fact that he hated riting and culdn't spel anywey. What a pity, but understandable. Perhaps Lord Snooty has the grammatical skills.
David Dickenson - (TV presenter - Bargain Hunt and more) - I remember watching Bargain Hunt in it's early days and thought it a great laugh and interesting at the same time. 'Tat' and 'Cheap as Chips' certainly caught on. I applied to go on and was on the waiting list but never heard a thing after that. In 2011 the great man was doing 'Dickenson's Real Deal' (ITV 1) from Darwen in Lancashire. I'm sure I could have found something in my artifacts to get in on the act, but alas, was not able to go on the day due to a prior football appointment. The phrase third time lucky is starting to kick in.
Ken Dodd was buying some sheet music at Wright Greaves shop in Manchester.I was behind him in the queue but was a bit scared of drawing attention to him.I believe he plays piano in his spare time. (See also Claims to Fame) A work colleague was called up to the stage during the Ken Dodd show to be sawn in half by the magician. I hope she didn't make any cutting remarks.I saw Howard Donald from Take That in Tesco at Prestwich, Manchester. Wasn't sure who he was at first, but was suspicious, so I went and looked in the CD rack to confirm my suspicions.The check out girls confirmed it aswell. . On another ocassion I saw Fizz from Corrie and wasn't far short of running her over in the car. She smiled politely as I apologised.
Remember the Dustbin Men on Granada TV. I nearly walked onto the location set but was stopped by a frantic hand shaker person. I should have thought it was odd when the Bin truck had Thunderbirds on it's side. I was quite young at the time.
Sir Alex Ferguson - M.U.F.C. Manager - See Darren Ferguson (Under Claims F - L) and Name to Claim. Sir Alex presented a mini bus on behalf of a charity to Inscape Cheadle on a thursday and sadly I only worked there on a friday so the near miss here was basically about the wrong day.
A Football Legend - Well there we were playing a school kick-a-bout game at Wythenshaw Park when a passing golfer hit his ball in our direction. As he approached he asked us to kick the ball over so he could cross it back in for us. My colleague refused on the grounds that anyone hitting a ball towards young people needs careful monitoring and he replied 'surely you can make an old legend happy.' It was not to be. I pointed out that it was a potential Claim to Fame but unless we meet again I will never know if he was a legend in his own mind, his own lunchtime or indeed a true soccer legend.Near miss or hoax ? We just don't know.
Georgia May Foote (born 11 February 1991) Grange Hill. Coronation Street as Katy Armstrong, Life on Mars. Rosie in Sorted, Katy Barnes in Doctors, Jennifer Thurber in the BBC drama Casualty (20 September 2008), Heartbeat, Jess Burrows in ITV1's Coronation Street (18 January 2010) and also starred in an advert against domestic violence. Georgia went to Elton High School and Bury College but more significantly used to work in the Sundial Chip Shop which is situated near my daughters flat and now a regular supplier of Adamson sustenance. Of course if Georgia still worked there she probably wouldn't be well known anyway so not so much a near miss as a distant miss unless of course she pops back to see her former employers at the same time as Claim to Fame man buying his chips. Will update should the event take plaice. Incidentally a highly recommended chip shop and they even have a lunchtime loyalty card where you get a free pie every six lunchtime only pies.They also have a special offer on wednesdays. The shop is situated behind the Sundial pub on Walmsley Road,Bury and would be hard to find if the proprieter didn't have a giant fish on top of his car suitably parked on the main road and arrowed appropriately.Worth a visit just to see the giant fish.
John Fox - Member of 80's pop group Ultravox, Was a pupil at Holy Cross, Chorley (Formerly St Augustine's Boys School) long before I taught there so not even a near miss really but a tenuous long shot. I suppose it is only two steps to Midge Ure and Bob Geldof though. Oh how we are all interlinked in the final analysis.
Sir J.Paul Getty Jr. - I recently received the following which was a great claim to fame except my subtle intuition that told me it was a scam. ''I wish to notify you that the late Sir J. Paul Getty Jr. made you one of the beneficiaries to his (WILL), he bequeathed the sum of Nine Million Seven Hundred and Eight Thousand Six Hundred and Ninety Two Great British Pounds Sterlings Only (GBP £9,708,692.7) to you in the codicil and last testament to his (WILL)''. I receive loads of these daily but very rarely with a famous link. That number of course does not make sense anyway as there is an odd 7 at the end.
Graham Gouldman (10c.c.) I nipped out to buy some chips and as I passed a house I saw a GG 1 big car and Graham Gouldman coming out. I sort of eye balled him and he knew I'd recognised him but then I just went on my way. I suspected if I'd run home to get a CD he would have gone anyway.Why else would he be coming out of the house. I found out later that a cousin lived in the house so obviously had been visiting. I suppose as 10c.c. came from the area it is not surprising really. Graham Gouldman was reputed to have written 'Bus Stop' by The Hollies while travelling on a 95 bus. I travelled on that route many times to school so the near miss is slightly closer.
Mark Hill - Music Producer (Artful Dodger and Craig David) I bought an Akai Sampler S3000XL on Gumtree. It was alledgedly signed by an urban artist but was actually signed 'Best Wishes Mark Hill, The Stix.'' Having done a bit of research it would appear that he is quite famous himself. He set up The Stix project because of his frustration of UK talent going unheard so if you read this Mark and fancy taking on yours truly get in touch. Perhaps some country dance music in the style of the Who, or even Led Zeppelin in the style of Country dance. Well let's be honest Al Yankovik has done well with rock in the style of Polkas.The sampler was too complicated for me so I passed it on to Music Producer Pete Heywood for a studio spare.
Noddy Holder - (It's Christmas) Apart from being called Noddy Holder on numerous ocassions as an assistant referee I came across a tenuous link in a claim to fame discussion. One of our Educational assistants said that her mum cut Noddy up once on a roundabout and I believe he was not amused and may have even shook his hand in disgust, rightly so in my opinion.
Robin Hood- To be the proud owner of Robin Hood's autograph is certainly an heirloom to boast about. People's interest declines rapidly when I tell them I got it personally in Disneyland Paris. I drove past Sherwood Forest once on my way to somewhere past Sherwood Forest and come to think of it the tenuous link continues when I mention my acoustic amp model was a called 'Sherwood Classic'.
Honey Boy Edwards - Last of the Mississippi Delta Bluesmen. See Al Dickinson.
Ted Ingram The World's Oldest Paper Boy - Ted has delivered papers since 1942 and 68 years later is still going strong in his nineties. I was hoping for this accolade but only started around the year 2000 and despite still trudging round there's no way I'll be able to match that. Maybe I'm the oldest paper boy in Bury. Incidentally the use of the word boy here is totally innaproppriate as it should say person and the role is now a News Carrier apparently. Congratulations to Ted, a stalwart and more importantly, he does it for the Village. I know a lot of people laugh at me for my paper round but it is the only time of the day when I can reflect on the world and find it a spiritual experience. Doing a paper round also helps you really see the cycle of seasons especially when you fall over on ice with the inbalance of the bag. Mind you, I'm a cheat. I go round in the car which at least gives me regular warms when it's freezing although I do run from car to house to help my general well being.
Robert Johnson - King of the Blues - See Al Dickinson on Claims to fame.
I went to see the Kinks in concert and my youmger sister asked if she should bring her autograph book. I said we wouldn't get near them so there was no point. As we were walking towards the theatre we saw Mick Avory and one of the Horn Players chatting on the pavement outside the theatre. I was shocked beyond belief and she had left the autograph book at home. Life is always about being in the right place at the right time.
Ray Davies- Kinks - I went to watch a concert at Stockport Plaza and was having a chat with an assistant about the Theatre Organ. He said I could go in and have a look but as I went through the door there was Ray Davies doing a sound check. I was very self disciplined and left as it would not have been good disturbing the practice would it ? I also taught the son of one of the Main members of the Kinks Fan Club. Secretary or President or something high up in the global structure.
Barbara Knox (Coronation Street - Rita) was in a wallpaper shop at closing time. We had to leave and Rita was allowed to take the sample books home. They clearly didn't know who I was.We also saw Gail (Helen Worth ) from Corrie in Marks and Spencer in Manchester.
Leapy Lee - A work colleague (Mal Griffiths) at the age of 18 was serenaded by Leapy (Little Arrows) Lee at the Offerton Palace. Hearing this story brought back the memories of one of my favourite records when I was young and it is good to hear that Leapy Lee is still performing and has opened a new bar. You can read up by going to http://www.leapylee.co.uk/ I did send Leapy an e mail but did not get a response.
Saw Joe Longthorne doing a photo shoot outside the Theatre in Blackpool. I was performing at The North Pier at the time with Green Wood.
Phil Middlemas (Des Barnes from Corrie) - This was a funny one. I walked round the corner of an aisle in Tesco at Whitefield and saw Phil Middlemas. I knew I knew him from somewhere but couldn't think where. I gave him a nod and he nodded back. I went on my way trying to remember which football team he played for in the Lancashire Amateur League. I remembered about an hour later who he was and thought 'oops'. A friend had a similar experience asking Eddie Yates / Onslow (Geoffey Hughes) how he was and realised she didn't actually know him personally, he was fine about itapparently. The big problem with these people is they live in our houses on a regular basis so when we bump into them we become disorientated thinking we know them. I suppose they are used to it.
Mick Miller - Comedian. He walked into the bar at Blackpool Wren Rovers F.C. as he was presenting a cheque to the club. Two weeks earlier one of the Nolan sisters was serving tea at the game as her husband was manager at the time and it was a good publicity stunt. I wasn't on that game so missed that opportunity.
Bryan Mosley OBE (25 August 1931 - 9 February 1999) was a British actor, known best as grocer Alf Roberts in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation St. Bryan walked past our school group not far from Granada Studios and gave us a smile and said hello.
Illie Nastase. My tennis racket once belonged to someone who looked like the great Tennis player. It was given to me by Father Martin Cunningham so is worth a claim either way .
John Nettles (Actor, Bergarac) - I played a concert at Henshaws in Eccles. John Nettles had visited his Aunty there a week before.
Opportunity Knocks - Unfortunately it didn't knock. We (The Chorley Buskers) went down to Sashas Hotel for an audition for the hit BBC show as compered by Bob Monkhouse. Producer Stuart Morris asked us what we were going to play and I said 'Girl I left behind me', 'The Old Rugged Ship' 'Drowsy Maggie' and Drunken Sailor'. He said you've only got two minutes. I just laughed and said 'We're quick'. We did it in 2 minutes and played out of our skin. As we walked off a cameraman said 'Brilliant lads' and we got the rejection the next day. Refusing to give them a picture probably didn't help the cause but I was bolshy then and thought the music more important than what we looked like. Anyway they went for the 13 year old tap dancer, the pub singer and the muscle man plus a few acrobats from a foreign land and a ventiloquist none of whom were ever heard of again. Well you got that wrong Mr Morris, no doubt my claim to fameness will come back and haunt you one day.
Ian Paice Deep Purple's drummer threw a drum stick into the audience. I missed it by a couple of inches following my gigantic Claim To Fame induced leap and lost a golden opportunity for a Claim. Of course had I have caught it I'm sure Beat Fictions drummer would have claimed it off me, not that he would have used it as a drum stick.
Lynn Paul - Singer with the New Seekers was an Aunty to one of the children I worked with on the University settlement playscheme.
Pope John Paul VI - When he visited England I used my local knowledge to get a strategic look. I got a close up picture but never actually spoke to him. I did meet the woman who cooked his cabbage though. I was also given a piece of carpet which he stood on to say mass in Heaton Park but I kindly passed it on to one of the faithful which made them well over the moon. Personally, while such an artifact is interesting I don't think God wants us to have lucky charms. It contradicts the faith aspect in my opinion. I think it comes under the first commandment if I'm not mistaken.
Pope Benedict XVI - The state visit to England of 2010 included the Beatification of Cardinal Newman. I can't believe I wasn't asked to sing 'Radiating God's Love' a song based on Cardinal Newman's prayer of the same name. Not even a near miss really. I normally get chucked out of church when the Bishop is making a guest appearance so why I think I should sing for the Pope is a bit hopeful. In fairness the chosen singers did a great job.
Alan Price. Alan was window shopping during his appearance in Andy Capp at the Royal Exchange. I was a great fan of his but didn't want to bother him. It's not British is it when he was having a quiet stroll round town.Saw him again in the show that night. In 2011 I had a second near miss. I managed to get a front row seat at Bury Met for a concert and as with many Met concerts I hoped for a signing. Unfortunately he is not always able to do them due to back trouble, been their myself, back trouble that is, not signings, but the kind man on the merchandise desk kindly took it back stage and I not only got his 'Based on a true Story' album signed but also the cover of my Wife's 'Just For You' red vinyl record. Incidentally there is a track on the album called 'Why' which in my opinion is a classic so hopefully it will filter through to more people. Thanks for the signing and I was so impressed with the concert I intend going to the Lowry at the end of the current tour.Alan Price is a music legend.
Bryan Robson Manchester United and England Footballer. My next door neighbour was security officer when Bryan Robson was doing a publicity event and he managed to get me a personalised autographed picture. I was on the Lanashire League when 'Captain Marvel' made many a comeback from injury with higher than usual crowds but unfortunately never landed one of those games. One colleague of mine not only got one of those games but appeared in the Man U programme as he was in an action picture. What a claim for him. Incidentally the man in question was Brian Jackson who was the other assistant when Bury played United reserves. Two steps away theory strikes again.
I saw Leo Sayer on the pavement outside the Midland Hotel in Manchester. Probably about to go for a sound check as he was on a show that day.
Peter Sellers - One of my college lecturers Dr.Sellers was Peter Sellers' cousin. You could clearly see a resemblance. The great actor and Goon never visited him at College so no chance there of a claim.
Teddy Sheringham - My son did some joinery work on the great strikers house, unfortunately several years after he lived there so tenuous link I'm afraid.
Cyril Smith - Liberal MP - saw Cyril at a Liberal Campaign meeting when I was studying Politics. Never got to talk to him but it was quite funny when he walked in to Nice One Cyril, a hit of the day. I also met one of his God Children and one of his hospital nurses.
Eddie Stobart- I once read somewhere that if you ask an Eddie Stobart driver for a collectors pack you would be given an assortment of things to help you Eddie spot.This was not the case as I asked a driver not far from Skipton and got a rant of the highest order complaining that Eddie spotting was dangerous and drivers were turning round to spot the names and he hated these requests and pointed out that the collectors club was nothing to do with the company. I apologised profusely and clearly got that one wrong. However on a lighter note, a work colleague was playing Rugby for Macclesfield RUFC against my local team Sedgley Park RUFC (17/12/11) so I thought I'd pop along to my first live sports event since giving up refereeing. I was absolutely perished and it did remind of those horrible saturday afternoons (the Victorians had it right wearing Long Johns) but it was a good game with the visitors winning 8-22. Macclesfield had some big lads playing, one of whom was over 7 foot but also playing was the grandson of Eddie Stobart, who was actually called Eddie Stobart. I suppose I could have stayed around and gone in the clubhouse and been introduced but my priority was to get home and defrost. Still a good miss. One thing I would say about these big rugby guys is to have 'no truck with them'.
Stockport County F.C.- Following a complaint in the guestbook about no reference to Stockport County my memory was jogged. I was once offered the chance to referee the schools cup final at Edgeley Park but had to step down because our school was in it. As it turned out I was not available anyway. However, I did act as assistant referee when Stockport 'A' played Manchester United at Ayrshire Road. (Thank you Mike Morris your comment was appreciated) I also attended Stockport's ground for a presentation evening, sadly the year they went into the Conference. Incidentally Beat Fiction originate from Stockport, well two thirds of the threesome.
Mike Summerbee- Footballer, walked past me on a zebra crossing on Deansgate in Manchester while he was still playing for City. Well not actually playing on the Zebra crossing as there was no game on at the time.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. While teaching in Wigan the famous Spurs wanted to train on our school field when they were playing Everton at Goodison Park. The Hotel was next to our school but the Hradteacher turned it down to protect the school field for the school teams. What an education that would have been. I'd have negotiated the whole school watching the session and a signed picture of Ossie Ardiles. That would have boosted school funds at auction. Furthermore it would not have come under near misses.Mind you, I bet Tottenham would have turned us down to train at White Hart Lane to protect their pitch.
Unknown / Unsigned Bands - As I tour round I watch many bands, all of whom hope for greater things. If I like the bands and think they have potential I will have a chat to lay the foundation for future claims. However, If a band takes the Lord's name in vain, or shouts out unacceptable language they will not be given publicity on here but I know it may be a future claim.. I watched a band last night who I thought were worth watching again but lost interest when they publicly broke the first commandment. These musicians must display a sence of dignity as young people are easily influenced by such behaviour. I've never heard Cliff Richard swear on stage and he always starts the concert on time aswell and he has stood the test of time. Unsigned can often mean unprofessional.
Paul Weller - I noticed the Jam and Style Council Guru listed as a friend of Beat Fiction. This is definately an internet thing. I've certainly never seen him at one of their gigs. Now I mention it though I've had a few e mails off Paul McCartney. Funny thing though he only ever writes to me when his latest CD is on sale or he wants to let me have a free download.These people are not really friends or they would be popping round for a cup of my Assam Tea and a biscuit and I very much doubt whether Paul Weller or Paul Mccartney would let me or Beat Fiction in for a chat after a show.What sort of friend would say I've never heard of them don't let them in. At least Ray Davies has the decency to have a record company advertising his albums rather than conning me into thinking he is writing personally.
World Worm Charming Championships - One of my former Headteacher's Bill Taylor informed me he had been involved in this monumental event. I wasn't sure if it was a wind up so ignored the information but recently looked it up at http://www.wormcharming.com/ leaving me with nothing more to say.
The Wright Stuff - (Channel 5) So I phoned in and the nice phone operator got my opinion and asked if I would like to express it on air, and that it was a good point.She took my name and said they would call back and they didn't, so a near miss I'm afraid. The topic was Steve Nicks' comment that the Internet was killing rock bands. My point was that amateur bands used the internet to get themselves started and promoted, but I did concede that professional sales were declining because of easy illegal downloads. Of course if I'd have got through I could have promoted my music at the same time, what an advert that would have been. Oh well, no hard feelings it's a great show and maybe one day they will book me as Claim To Fame Man.
X - Factor I came close in the X Factor TV talent spotting show. I was driving past the Opera House and this massive queue was waiting to be auditioned. I was only a few feet away as I drove past.
Yellow Road Line Paint Many years ago I had a holiday job at Hill,Son and Wallace, Paint Manufacturers.One of our top lines was Yellow road line paint which of course is used for double yellow lines and disabled bays among its markings. I loaded many a tin onto Lorries and often wondered who would get a parking ticket. So if you are a famous person who has been caught out and justifiably got a fine, then who knows, you may just have been the victim of paint loaded on a wagon by Claim to Fame Man.To narrow the margin it would have been painted around 1976 - 1980 but of course would have lasted several years beyond then.We also did work for the Ministry of Defence so maybe I loaded some paint that played a part in a major operation.The Falklands was 1982 so that would tie in. Maybe they used it for decoy routes and I played my part in the operation. Now that is more tenuous than any other claim.
Jesus Christ - I ran a school assembly once in a Roman Catholic School. I told the pupils Ryan Giggs was coming in because of my football connections. I really got the kids excited and then a member of staff ( a plant ) came in and said ' he couldn't come, he's stuck in traffic '. Big groan, don't worry I said , I 've got someone else to come into our school. Boys and Girls please welcome Mr Jesus Christ' - Following a silent pause the pupils were very dissapointed. I said to them we all need to look at our faith because we have our priorities wrong. I was not very popular but I think I got the message over. John Lennon was well chasticed for saying the Beatles were more popular than Jesus but, I bet if the Beatles had come into an assembly in the sixties with the same angle as the script in my Ryan Giggs assembly I think John Lennon may have had a point. So my best Claim to Fame is knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and he's a celebrity that is more accessible than most, heavenly, yet down to earth, at the same time accessible and a real star, but with compassion. Knock and the door will be opened. Ask and you shall receive..........and in reality this is not a near miss at all, it's more like a close encounter.