I once sat on Jimmy Saville's knee during the warm-up exercises for Cardiff Marathon in the mid 80's.
I once met Sylvia Anderson (widow of the great Gerry Anderson of Thunderbirds & Capatain Scarlet fame), at a local radio station in Swansea. Then I was interviewed by Jimmy Saville there.. I was a young, long distance runner and WAS a fan of him then for his "charitable" work.
I once had a kiss and a red rose from Kylie Minogue, for helping the bouncers with lifting the crushed, fainted teenagers over the barriers, in an early Kylie concert in Swansea Ritzy nightclub (supported by BIG FUN too). I had to take my sister to the concert after winning some tickets for here.
I once met the twins from Neighbours, had a peck on the cheek and a signed photo, because a friend of mine was starting out as late night DJ for same local radio station mentioned above.
I once met a few middle eastern royals who were learning to fly fast jets during the early 1990's.
I once refused a free drink from some rough looking fellas in a hotel bar in Co. Wexford, because they were Americans and who liked to wear baseball caps in a bar!! Later, my cousin asked me why did I refuse to drink some Irish stout with Matt Damon (who?), Steven Spielberg (you mean Jaws director?) and Tom Hanks (AW NO WAY, THE MONEY PIT & TURNER AND HOOCH GUY!!!) who had just wrapped up filming some war movie on the local beach. Which sort of explained why the Irish & American navies were in town and I could see these guys running around with lots of sand blown up at Curracloe.
I once had a hand slap from Jon and his Bon Jovi mates, as they were running onto the stage at New York's Times Square for a live MTV broadcast in 1995. They played a few songs from their "These Days" album and did a few hits as a short impromptu gig for their fans.
I once told a royal who wanted to fly a fast jet simulator, that I could not allow his bodyguards past a safety point, due to elf and safety. He enjoyed that (genuine).
I once met and worked with the same royal, as he was now a decent Captain of a Search & Rescue helicopter. His wife loved to pop in with cakes when he was working nights. He also tried to steal my Mars bar and asked what was the name of my newborn son - he said it was a good name when I mentioned "Harry".
I once met Nell McAndrew during her stint as Forces Sweet Heart for charity.
I once shared a meal and watched Liverpool FC in Sky Box at Anfield with Darren Clarke the golfer.
I once watched & shook hands with the late, great Mayor Frank Carson do a comedy stint on the opening of the Stena HSS fast ferry from Holyhead to Dublin.
I once filmed and re-flew a fast jet sortie in a simulator, recently and superbly done by Carol Voderman. The original recording was low resolution, so I used my Go-Pro to retrace the route that she had previously flown (subsequently used for her TV series footage). Also, the film crew had great difficulties recording her facial reactions in a dark, projector lit dome, without affecting the front view of the projected screen areas.
I once met Bernie Clifton with his running Ostritch during the warm-up of the London Marathon. Another hero from my young running childhood days....
