Shaking Hands With the Queen

Today was a fun day. Work was straight forward or at least 'Average'. Some bloke who used to be in Eastenders popped in to talk with my colleague Martin. I didn't see him whilst at work but as things turned out - I would speak to him much later on.

Quick back story. Whilst in first year at school I was given a day off school to travel to Newcastle with a lad from down my street who was 17. We statyed at my Uncle Georges house and went to a Queen concert. That was 25 years ago next month.

"We Will Rock You" is in town. It's the musical put to the music of Queen of course, and tonight was the 'Press Night'. We were sent tickets, I RSVP'd to allow both me and Marie to attend. I was also aware that Brian May would be attending tonight. WOW! How exciting! PLUS because of our relationship with His Majesty's theatre we would be given the only Radio Interview with him.

Martin went. I was enormously jelous, I'm not a massive Queen fan. But I was during my teenage years. That concert had a profound effect on me. Best concert, first time I'd experienced adrenalin like it, I was the envy of all my school mates. For the first time - I was seen as being 'Uber Cool'. It was 1986.

So the interview went really well today. Martin got one of his albums signed and got a great photo taken with him.

Evening time, and we go to the press night, stall seats up near the front with a great view of the stage. What a great show. Just brilliant! Plus as expected at the end when the cast sang 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on walks Brian and plays along. We'd all witnessed something quite special and everyone knew it.

Performance ends and we go to the 'After Show Party' in the Dress circle bar. I'm with Martin, Dave from the brekfast show along with his girlfriend and a couple of others. Suddenly I'm told. 'He's behind you neil' and right enough at the back door of the bar he's stood there, immediatly surrounded by a crowd. So I say to Martin's son and daughter 'Robert' and 'Katherine' quick get your camera phones. I start pointing my finger over my head so the picture could show me pointing out Brian in the background.

WELL. Robert decided to suffer from 'Shaky hand syndrome' it looked like we were at the epicentre of strength 5 earthquake. The other picture is today's blip.

There is the story of todays picture. Me bottom left and Brian near the middle up the back.

Just after this picture was taken I'm talking to the guys and Dave says, 'Shit here he comes' and walks right past us. Everyone is shocked into silence, how can he walk past us? So no one is saying ANYTHING so I figured - GO GO GO!. The following conversation then took place.....

Me:- BRIAN!

he turns his head as he walked past me

Me:- Can I shake your hand?

Ehhhh? What?? Shake your hand???? Freak!

Brian:- yeah.

he puts drink in other hand and obliges. I'm now looking for some help, Someone please, Dave stares on as did everyone else.... and so whilst faced with an awkward silence having nothing else to say..... I add..... (ohh dear god)

Me:- I saw you in '86!

WTF? why not... cool show!.. I'm a big fan, loved it tonight..... Good to see you here??..... just something else. EVERYONE else around me remain silent. Nothing. Not a peep. Silent.

Brian:- Well you must be allot older than you look.

And that, ladies and gentleman, is the time I had a converstion with old idol of mine from when I was growing up. A compliment. Over in 5 seconds.

Afterwards, I joked about what I'd just said. Everyone else then realised just how strange my conversation must have been to him.

I chuckle now, and will continue to do so until I bend the truth little by little until the story becomes the tale of when I got drunk at the bar till 3 in the morning talking much of July 86.

On the way out. We spoke to Ian, who had been in the studios earlier today. Nice bloke. He was in Eastenders, played 'Tricky Dicky' and Vernon from Coronation Street. I'll tell my Mam that bit.

She'll be impressed I'm sure.

Fun day. Laughing at yourself can be quite therapeutic. At least I spoke I suppose.