Have you ever shaken hands with or met your comedy hero ?

[Jockice]

I went to Nick Banks from Pulp's wedding reception at the height of their fame. Not as a starspotter or anything. I've known him since we were 15. It was a good do but Jarvis got pestered for autographs all night. At a private do! Gave me a glimpse of what it must be like to be that famous. I don't think I could handle that.

On the subject of Chris Morris, a former friend of mine did a bit of research for Four Lions (she'd previously been an Asian affairs reporter for the BBC) and the way she was talking it was like they were best mates and she was crucial to the film. She even made a big show of (apparently) phoning him when we were out one evening. But didn't let me hear the call. Then she stopped talking about him. Don't know what happened there but I assume he'd had enough of her as indeed all her friends do eventually. Including me, but that's another story.

When the film came out I watched the credits at the end to see if her name was mentioned. It was, in the lengthy list of contributors at the end. With her surname spelt incorrectly. Ha!

New page groupie.

[notjosh]

I used to run a moderately successful Bill Bailey fansite as a teenager (I'll be chuffed to bits if anyone actually remembers it) and ended up getting a job writing his website blog and newsletters while at university. His manager got free tickets for me and 3 mates to see Tinselworm at the O2 Sheffield and we all got to hang out back stage with Bill afterwards and eat cheese. He was very nice and down to earth and I got to discuss some of the finer points of the show with him, which I loved.

I saw him again at the Manchester Apollo a few weeks later, then he took the website team for a Chinese meal and we went back to his hotel and drank whisky. Spoke a bit more about the minutiae of the show, particularly the ways this performance had differed from the last one.[nb]an impressive amount given the major reliance on visual effects[/nb] Then he paid for my hotel and his manager said all the room expenses were on him, so I had some beers from the fridge and watched a couple of porn movies. Later I felt guilty and offered to pay the manager, but she said it was fine and she was happy I enjoyed myself. Stopped doing the job when I got full time work, but great memories.

Shook hands with Louis CK after his first Fringe gig in 2008. Told him how much I liked the Shit Fuck Piss routine on his Live in Houston album and he said thanks and moved on, then came back a few seconds later and asked me how I'd heard it, and it didn't matter if I'd pirated it (which I had). He seemed pleased that I knew it, and also because he was taking a young girl back to his hotel room, presumably to masturbate at her while blocking the doorway.

Also had brief but pleasant interactions with Kitson and Lee, and once pushed through a crowd of industry execs in Edinburgh to wordlessly shake Armando Iannucci's hand and then walk away, leaving him bemused.

[Goldentony]

I was pulling up to the Apollo in Manchester years ago and as we all piled out the car a fuck off blacked out Porsche pulls up to the venue and out walks Steve Martin, who's big concert we were going to see later on that night. Before I got a chance to say fuck all a bunch of people with glossy photos of him dressed as Inspector Clouseau and whatever else charge at him and shout

"OOH STEVE! STEVE!"

so rather than try and wade through the crowd and shout things like

"GRANDMOTHERS SONG" or

"DVD OF YOUR TV STUFF PUT IT OUT SON OF A BITCH"

I just sort of watch it all happen while people shove photos under his nose and him explaining to people he cant keep signing or shake anyones hand because

"I'VE GOT TO SAVE MY BANJO HAND FOR THE SHOW"

then he puts on his hat and fucks off into the venue. It was great. Later the bus pulled up after the gig while the band ran into it as both Alexei Sayle and Alan Yentob walked past me and I got a quick glance in and it was nicer than most of the houses i've ever seen. Nicer than Madd Dogg's mansion from San Andreas. It was like a footballer's house with wheels.

[Barry Admin]

Chris Morris blew me off and refused to sign my Four Lions ticket. Richard Herring was very nice, but I purposely kept it brief. I just bought Stewart Lee's merch and quickly moved on.

[Sydward Lartle]

Chris Morris blew me off

Blimey, all I got from Tim Brooke-Taylor was an autograph and a handshake.

[Revelator]

Armando Iannucci: at the San Francisco International Film festival I approached him after a screening of In the Loop and asked if he could sign my DVD of The Armando Iannucci Shows. He looked surprised and happy to do so. Pointing at the DVD, he said the show "was a real labor of love." On the cover he wrote "that's me!" under his name.

John Cleese: he came to give talk at my university. I worked in the event hall and had an early shift that day. Around 10 in the morning I saw a very tall, suspiciously familiar gray-haired man approach the locked front door, which I opened for him. Cleese was there for his sound check. Reaching the stage, he approached all the stagehands, shook our hands, and asked our names. After his talk he signed autographs and posed for pictures. I had a copy of the Golden Sketches of Muriel Volestrangler that I wanted to have signed, but I waited too long--by the time I approached he was stepping out the back door and toward a waiting limo. But he did turn to say goodbye and even remembered my name.

Chris Morris: after a screening of Four Lions (again in San Francisco) he stayed around to chat with folks in the lobby after the Q&A. He  answered further questions with infinite patience and diplomacy, including several from a grim-looking man who asked (at length) about FBI honeypots. He also said that he might do radio again, and that Four Lions' best audience was at the SXSW festival, where the reactions were more in tune than any of the British audiences'. He also regretted that the pace of the promotional tour left him little time for sightseeing and exploration, especially during election season. I was still standing around when he prepared to leave, and he said to me "Thanks for coming." I showed him my DVD of BrassEye and asked "Would it be possible to get a..."  "Oh sure!" he said. He looked at my pen and said he could get "a more robust one." Fishing a sharpie out of his bag, he wrote "Real Proper Name. CM." I said "It's a real honor to meet you" and shook his hand.

[St_Eddie]

Not really a comedy hero (though I do like him) but Craig Charles once sat down next to me at a small venue.  I didn't speak to him or shake his hand though.

Yeah... that's all I've got.  You all sound like you lead much more interesting lives than myself.

[holyzombiejesus]

Not a hero but I once spoke to Josie Long about Smog, Amelia Fletcher and Found Magazine. I was distributing the latter and arranged to give her some back issues the next time she played Manchester, which I did, and she sent me some of her fanzines in return.

I bumped in to Eddie Izzard in Albert Square in Manchester once. It was just before work (I worked in the town hall) and he was slipping all over the cobbles in high heels. The Labour Party conference was on really close by but he asked me for directions to a taxi rank. I pointed to an empty rank about 15 yards away and said that a black cab would be along shortly but he got a bit huffy and stropped off down Cross Street in his stupid shoes.

[Billy]

This is sort of a compilation post as I've probably said all of these on here before, but anyways.

1999: Went to a couple of rehearsal recordings of This Morning With Richard Not Judy at Riverside Studios. Seconds after sitting down, Lee & Herring notice me in the audience - me being a fairly shy ten year old child at the time - and comedically banter with me for several minutes, clearly amazed that they've got fans this young and asking me who my favourite characters in the show are etc. Then they waved at me in the bar afterwards. Pretty brilliant day all round.

2001: In my brief childhood acting days, filmed this obscure show on long-forgotten digichannel BBC Choice, starring Rik Mayall. Sadly we shared very few scenes, and when he first entered the studio and said "Hi!" I was too starstruck to speak. But still brilliant to get to work with him while I had the chance.

2002: I guess this sort of counts as 'comedy' (he could be at times), but I met Tom Baker at a Dr Who signing in London. From what I remember I was the only youngun there, and was clearly nervous as I got to the front as Tom instantly looked at me and said "Haven't I seen you before on television?", which is what he used to say to childhood fans in the 70s - instantly I felt welcomed and he happily signed my Deadly Assassin VHS. The bloke in front of me had asked Tom if he'd heard the rumours that the BBC wanted to bring the show back, to which Tom replied "Balls!" to everyone's laughter. Also there was Katy Manning who was completely over the top and lovely.

2009: Reeves/Mortimer signing in HMV Oxford Street. Despite by now being twenty or so, still something of a shy nervous wreck as my turn awaits, and as I walk up to the desk I pretend to trip and say "Oh, I've fallen". To which Bob bursts out laughing and warmly shakes my hand, immediately making me feel far less of a twat. Vic was a little more reserved but still said hello, and Angelos (also there) was great too.

An "almost" - I have a personalised signature from Mel Smith, which my Mum got for me after meeting him on a night out circa 2004 or so. As a miserable teenager at the time, I completely ignored this brilliant act of generosity from her (probably too busy watching porn or headbanging to crap noughties indie) and it wasn't until a decade later I rediscovered it and properly thanked her.

Wishlist - Atkinson, Palin (or any Python really), Morris, Merton.

[koeman]

Given that the previous poster worked with Rik Mayall I feel my thunder's been stolen a tad, but I shook hands with Tim Vine after a gig and had a lovely chat with him - and he even took his notes out of his pocket and accidentally dropped them on the floor and I picked them up for him! It was a bit like that time in Cheers when Cliff gets to touch Sam's little black book.

Made a burbling fool of myself in front of Chris Morris at the Nottingham screening of Four Lions, and a similar fool in front of Michael Palin at a book-signing. Both men were patient and pleasant, although I suspect Palin assumed I was disabled. Morris just thought me a tit.

I've never had the nerve. I was late for a showing of Four Lions at the Barbican and yer Morris was stood by the door in an otherwise empty corridor. We made eye contact and I just sort of gasped a bit and filed past him.

Neville Chamberlain and I were at the Nottingham showing too, and I have a horrible feeling we did exactly the same thing as Beagle 2. I can't be sure, though. It's all a blur.

[Serge]

Not a hero but I once spoke to Josie Long about Smog, Amelia Fletcher and Found Magazine. I was distributing the latter and arranged to give her some back issues the next time she played Manchester, which I did, and she sent me some of her fanzines in return.

Oh yes, she used to come into Rough Trade sometimes too. I remember her buying a Bill Callahan album once.

I've also served Gerry Sadowitz a few times in various shops, and he was always perfectly pleasant, which is slightly annoying, as you'd at least like him to call you a cunt. See also: Luke Haines, who was never curmudgeonly to me once.

[DrGreggles]

I've also served Gerry Sadowitz a few times in various shops, and he was always perfectly pleasant, which is slightly annoying, as you'd at least like him to call you a cunt.

Mark E. Smith[nb]Not exactly a comedian admittedly[/nb] called me a cunt, which was simultaneously heartbreaking and thrilling.

[Rich Uncle Skeleton]

I went to Nick Banks from Pulp's wedding reception at the height of their fame. Not as a starspotter or anything. I've known him since we were 15. It was a good do but Jarvis got pestered for autographs all night. At a private do! Gave me a glimpse of what it must be like to be that famous. I don't think I could handle that.

Yeah must have been crazy for someone like Jarvis Cocker since it always seemed like any other member of Pulp could go most places without being recognised. Well, somewhere that wasn't Sheffield.

Whereas I remember reading an interview where Jarvis said one time he had to literally run to escape a bunch of kids shouting "Cocker Knocker!"[nb]haha bloody hell just went to find the quote here. It was with his sister after a funeral. Jesus...[/nb] sod being famous.

Shame the reunion was a victory lap/one last big score kind of thing before they went their separate ways again , but those were the best gigs I've been to.

[Jockice]

I asked Jarvis for his autograph once. For a friend. He did give me it but was really snotty about it. He did apologise the next time I saw him though and said he'd been pestered all night and someone he'd known for years doing it as well was the final straw. Fair enough. I've never done it since.

[Rolf Lundgren]

Shook hands with Steve Coogan at a book signing. The sheer volume of people there meant it was very hurried and the whole process was like an assembly line but he was friendly.

And hero is a strong word but I met Richard Herring about 10 years ago and had a chat. At one point I sensed I'd come across as a bit odd so made my excuses and left. Now when he talks about his audience of weird, comedy nerds I suspect that I may have helped sown that seed.

[Danger Man]

I met CaB favourite Andrew Lawrence a few years ago.

Not an especially exciting encounter but he was so shy that it felt like I was the famous person and he was the fanboy.

[lankyguy95]

Shy, 18 year old me was too scared to approach Kitson, lest he think me a cunt or something.

[Dr Syntax Head]

I once saw Steve Coogan at St Mawes in Cornwall on a very dull, grey rainy day, wind blowing. Horrible weather. I was taking my kids for a walk and I said to them 'That's Coogan!" I was excited. He was standing by his sports car outside a very expensive looking B&B and seemed to be waiting for someone. Well sure enough a very attractive lady walked out from B&B to his car. He looked miserable. I wanted to give him the full AHAAAAA! But I was with my kids and didn't want a scene.

Oh I wish I was alone and drunk that day. He was wearing a very practical looking winter coat, bright red.

I love him.

[Dr Syntax Head]

My friend went to see Stew last year. She got me s signed CD of Pea Green Boat. He spelled my first name right. It has pride of place above my desk

Stew. Fucking Stew. Best comedian on earth and he spelled my name correctly

[Van Dammage]

I once saw Steve Coogan at St Mawes in Cornwall on a very dull, grey rainy day, wind blowing. Horrible weather. I was taking my kids for a walk and I said to them 'That's Coogan!" I was excited. He was standing by his sports car outside a very expensive looking B&B and seemed to be waiting for someone. Well sure enough a very attractive lady walked out from B&B to his car. He looked miserable. I wanted to give him the full AHAAAAA! But I was with my kids and didn't want a scene.

Oh I wish I was alone and drunk that day. He was wearing a very practical looking winter coat, bright red.

I love him.

I remember someone else telling a story about shouting "Dan!" at him a few times (don't think it was on here) and he just gave them a "This country / Bloody students" look.

[Jockice]

Not really a comedy hero (though I do like him) but Craig Charles once sat down next to me at a small venue.  I didn't speak to him or shake his hand though.

Yeah... that's all I've got.  You all sound like you lead much more interesting lives than myself.

Craig Charles used to stalk me. I've seen him three times in random places. Once I was walking down a deserted narrow lane near Sheffield city centre and he went past me in the opposite direction. We didn't speak.

In the early 90s I had a similar thing with Tracey Thorn, who seemed to appear every time I went to London.

[hard rocx and mettals]

Tried and failed to piss next to David Cross in the Big Hands toilets when he was performing in Manchester last year. Clumsily asked him after he'd washed his hands if he was planning to make any more W/Bob and David, to which he replied "Uh, yeah buddy". Couldn't have really shook his hand, given the circumstances.

[DrGreggles]

You could have touched his cock?

[Brundle-Fly]

I met erstwhile Goon Show member, Michael Bentine in 1995. He was doing a sort of Q&A solo show up the Ed Fringe and a friend was producing it. I saw it a couple of times and at the beginning he'd always ask the audience what did they want him to talk about that night: his career or the paranormal?  Both times I attended, the idiots voted for the paranormal option which pissed me off twice because I was far more interested in his career.

I asked if they ever voted for him to discuss his life in show business. "Not once", he replied. "I suppose people are more fascinated by ghosts rather than post-war comedy"

Bentine was dead eighteen months later. If he had returned to the Fringe with a follow up one man show as a ghost, these halfwits would probably want him to regale them with Potty Time anecdotes rather than the afterlife.

[Baby Of The Year]

The only comedian I can recall really 'meeting' is Kevin Eldon, twice actually. Once was after his Soho Theatre show the day of the last royal wedding, whenever that was. I bought his DVD and hung around to get it signed, I think I was the only person to do so. But he was a real nice guy, seemed genuinely chuffed that someone would bother.

The second occasion was about 3 years ago, when he was interviewed by Stewart Lee on stage as both himself and in character as his cousin Paul Hamilton. He was signing copies of the related tome My Prefect Cousin afterwards, and this was shortly after It's Kevin had aired, so I asked him if he had a second series. His response was "Nah, fuck 'em!" and posed with thumbs aloft for a photo.

I work in telly so have encountered a lot of 'celebs' but as a techie I'm not necessarily always able to interact with them beyond some brief shit-chat but it can be surprising just how normal some BIG names are, it's usually low or middling talents that have an entourage and/or are unapproachable. Mind you, I thought Rolf was a nice bloke so you really can't trust my judgement.

[nec1974]

And, I've mentioned this one on CaB several times, not a hero of mine at all (never been a fan), the same mate (who is a massive fan) dragged me along to see Rob Newman in a small pub in Bristol.  Unbeknown to either of us at the time, it was during his god-awful poetry period.  The pub wasn't full to begin with, but as his set went on more and more people walked out, until it got to the point where it was just us two, a few others, and some regulars who weren't in there for Newman anyway.  Far from sharing a pint with my mate's hero, we actually bought Newman some drinks because we felt quite sorry for him - after all, only a few years previous he was filling arenas with David Baddiel.  Anyway, he was a thoroughly nice chap and just accepted that people didn't really want to see that, they wanted to see him do "that's you, that is".  But whenever the subject did drift towards MWE or Baddiel, he abruptly moved the conversation on and clearly didn't want to talk about either.  But he sat with us (or, rather, we sat with him) for a couple of hours chatting.  In that entire time, only one couple approached him for an autograph.  Everyone else either ignored him, or had no idea who he was (he had short hair, hadn't shaved for a while and was dressed quite shabbily).

I went to see Rob Newman at the Royal Festival Hall on his Dependence Day tour. Sat not far away were Jonathan Ross and David Baddiel. At the interval, Ross was completely ignored while Baddiel was besieged by MWE fans. I remember saying something like 'Nggthhhh' which roughly translated as 'would you sign this please?'. So I now have a Rob Newman solo programme signed by David Baddiel.

Danny Baker lives nearby so I see him around the shops from time to time. He signed a book for me once to give to a friend who was unwell and couldn't have been nicer about it.

[Barry Admin]

Has anyone met Simon McCoy off of BBC News? Can anyone get me Simon McCoy rushes? I really want raw footage of Simon McCoy rehearsing and stuff.

[Baby Of The Year]

Has anyone met Simon McCoy off of BBC News? Can anyone get me Simon McCoy rushes? I really want raw footage of Simon McCoy rehearsing and stuff.

Yes, even caught him in his pants in a corridor once. No rushes of THAT.

[HMS Beanspiller]

Shook hands with Stephen Merchant when I passed him in the street; around the time of The Office S1 so he seemed taken aback at being recognised.

Chatted to Daniel Kitson before a gig of his, very friendly and happy to sign my ticket.

Palin at a book signing, a genuinely lovely man. Also Terry Gilliam who was in the audience of an Amnesty comedy gig at Wembley Arena - I babbled on about Twelve Monkeys and he was happy to sign my programme (his autograph includes a sketch of a pencil writing the signature).

Bottled chatting to Morris who was watching a Stewart Lee Comedy Vehicle preview at the Hen and Chickens and was sat behind me laughing very loudly throughout. Also bottled saying hello to Armando Ianucci as I passed him on a zebra crossing in Bloomsbury.

Met Tim Key after a performance of Art at the Old Vic - I was there as a guest of sponsors and he was good enough to come and chat to us for a while after the show, nice guy.

Similarly, met David Haig after Rosencrantz and Guildenstern just the other night - completely charming and delightful company. BTW he is incredible as The Player in R&G. I stood about four feet away from Daniel Radcliffe at the same event but he was being slightly mobbed so left him alone.

Tony Law who was signing DVDs after an Uddebelly gig, delightful.

[Danger Man]

Has anyone met Simon McCoy off of BBC News?

Sadly not but I've met Mike Bushell if that's any good.

He'd be so delighted to be recognised that he'd come round to your house for a chat.