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Apart from the obvious favourites of mine - David Attenborough, Chris Boardman, Steve Backshall, Helen Mirren etc.(too many to mention). I have a new person to add to the 'Like a lot list'.
The young children's poet Laureate - Joseph Coelho.
Not only is he advocating the use of libraries to all, he travels to many of them on his homemade bamboo bicycle. What a 'top chap'.
Who are your top people?
Always though Barack Obama was pretty cool. But I suppose GOP might disagree.
Err Liz Truss, Boris, Russel Bran…
Oh wait, wrong list.
I appreciate Martin Lewis's efforts to highlight financial education for all ages.
My vote is for Iolo Williams less shouting the Baskshaw and a genuinely nice person.
He even came and had a chat with me in the wind and rain at Maltreath while his film crew headed for the cafe.
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<li style="text-align: left;">Also saw him leading a wildlife group on Shetland this summer.
Bruce - good call. I too think Iolo is a top chap. I'm very disappointed that there won't be an 'Autumn watch' this year.
Gary Lineker
Adam Buxton
Benoit Coulanges
favourites of mine – David Attenborough
A friend of mine who works at Manchester Uni worked with Attenborough on a book about dinosaurs, and tried to 1. keep him in line with current thinking and 2. remove from the book obviously outdated and erroneous stuff (mostly written by Attenborough). Attenborough, he said, was so difficult to work with (do you know who I am while not said out loud, implied in many a email and tele conversations, and this will do wonders for your career working with me etc etc) that he asked the publisher to minimize his own name as much as possible on the final book, and vowed never to work with any celebrities again.
Feargal Sharkey, doing a great job highlighting the shocking state of our rivers. Henry Marsh and David Nott - two amazing doctors, should be more widely recognised.
It's hard to like someone without meeting them, and I've never talked to anyone high profile - the exception being Chris Morris (brass eye etc) who buttonholed me at my work and sparked up a discussion about our renewable energy set up and waste disposal systems. He was so interested and engaging, you could tell he was genuine and very bright, and yes, nice. He gets a big tick.
Lots of those mentioned above, I certainly respect their efforts, opinions and they project well. Heard Ade Edmondson on desert Island discs the other day, and he has risen in my estimation, and might well be genuinely Nice.
Edit. Just remembering several other well known people I have talked to, and none of them impressed me.
Colin Stafford-Johnson (Irish natural history writer)
and his doppleganager Feargal Keane
There are no women in this list.
For starters
Sarah Storey, swimmer, cyclist and cycling advocate.
There must be lots more to add to the list
I met a guy who drove Attenborough around in a boat filming sea birds for one of his shows. Said he was completely down to earth and wouldn't have any of the TV crew work in conditions that he (Attenborough) wouldn't. Said he was one of the nicest people he'd ever met.
Steve Evets.
Have chatted a couple of times with him at the bar and he seemed like a normal sort of bloke.
It’s hard to like someone without meeting them
At the risk of turning this into "famous people you've met" I saw Paul Weller in a service station (rather than a tube station) and it was about midnight. He was having a cup of tea, and I hummed and hawed about saying hello. Eventually I did and he was genuinely a nice bloke. We chatted about late night service stations, That Entertainment, and (embarrassingly enough) what a massive fan I was/am. He couldn't have been more pleasant company. Sometimes it's OK to meet your heroes.
To unite three of the aforementioned nominations (all of whom I agree with), Chris Morris tells a great story about meeting David Attenborough on Adam Buxton's podcast. His description of Attenborough's verbal reprimand as "a patrician cuff" has stayed with me.
I'll nominate Caitlin Moran: a clever, funny and compassionate writer.
At the risk of turning this into “famous people you’ve met”
James Marsters (Spike from Buffy tVS). Met him at a con, an absolute gentleman. Spoke with everyone like they were the first person he'd met that day, warm and engaging.
I mean, he's an actor so could be an absolute shitbag in real life, you can never really tell. But he was lovely that day.
Oh,
Dave Grohl. Has the reputation of "the nicest man in rock." Hit YouTube for the videos with Nandi Bushell.
James Marsters (Spike from Buffy tVS). Met him at a con, an absolute gentleman. Spoke with everyone like they were the first person he’d met that day, warm and engaging.
I mean, he’s an actor so could be an absolute shitbag in real life, you can never really tell. But he was lovely that day.
Sounds like Terry Wogan, surprise he ever got anywhere, never turned down a selfie or a chat.
Dave Grohl. Has the reputation of “the nicest man in rock.” Hit YouTube for the videos with Nandi Bushell.
If you've not seen it, this documentary is really interesting...
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2306745/
Cannot disagree with lots of the above.
Jonny Wilkinson. Nicest sportsperson I've ever met. Genuine. Down to earth. Just a nice bloke to chat with. Same evening, I also had the absolute pleasure of meeting Pat Lam. Biggest hands I've ever seen, never mind shaken. What a gentleman.
My mum n dad, my best friend of more than 15 years. Because I actually know them in real life and I quite frankly dont give a rats bum about random people who for whatever reason are admired for doing stuff that has no bearing on me.
Post Malone
While he looks like he makes a living stealing catalytic converters, he's the nicest, most polite man imaginable and while I wasn't a fan initially of his music, he made a huge impression with his lockdown Nirvana concert and his recent Tiny Desk set is absolutely magical
Attenborough, he said, was so difficult to work with
I had a similar experience with Sir Robert Winston, back when he was an avuncular and kindly science man on the telly. Miserable get, turned on the charm for the camera, instantly back into miserable get mode as soon as it stopped. Not even a millisecond of charm for us.
I notice some of the gloss has come off him in recent years, must be exhausting trying to keep up the pretence.
OK - I'm choosing a field with a pretty low threshold but in politics......
After listening the the Leading Politics interview with Andy Burnham and Andy Street they both came across as thoroughly good people in it for the right reasons and able to do politics well (not to be a point scoring arse wipe).
Peter Andre is alleged to be a contender for nicest man in showbiz.
Aziz Ibrahim, guitarist with Stone Roses, Simply Red, Ian Brown etc.
A genuinely decent bloke, always up for a chat, ready to give his time to anyone who needs it, never a bad word etc......
Happens to be a fantastic musician as well.
Top top athlete, with a wonderfully positive influence on triathlon (especially women's participation) - Chrissie Wellington. Just an amazing person.
Ray Mears, for his approach to the outdoors, and none of the BS and bravado of certain other 'survival' personalities. He's not nipping off to the nearest Sheraton the moment the camera is off...
Fritz from Simply Red lived across the road from my parents for part of the late 80/ early 90s
Absolutely lovely bloke. Sadly now playing keyboard on the other side of the Pearly Gates
My neighbour who doesn’t have long to live. Completely out of the blue and it’s awful to see what it is doing to him. We moved here in 2012 and he and his family have been nothing but amazing to us since then. An absolute gentleman, great with my kids, has time for everyone and goes out of his way to help anyone. Many an evening I’ve come home from work to find booze, food and other small gifts dropped off for no other reason than he wanted to.
Life can be an utter shit at times.
From the top of my head from my theatre days:
Helen Skelton - just lovely in every way.
Dr Alice Roberts - ditto.
Greg Minnaar - charmed everyone effortlessly and completely grounded from what we could gather.
Jack Dee - nothing like his grumpy persona, very humble and polite.
All a complete contrast to the Prima Donnas that infest that world.
From just meeting them:
Nick Frost and Simon Pegg - were at a local ComiCon (as paying punters!) and just fitted right in with everyone. They really are proper nerds in the best possible way.
Lewis Hamilton - was in the crowd watching his brother racing in Clio Cup and just blended in as a fan, talking to everyone and just being normal.
My vote is for Iolo Williams less shouting the Baskshaw and a genuinely nice person.
He is, as long as you stay to his core subject! Spent a night in his company a few years ago at my parent's local pub which he frequents a few times a year, always makes a point of saying Hi to the resident locals.
Dave Grohl. Has the reputation of “the nicest man in rock.”
He definitely was back in 2009 when he was recording in a studio close to the bank I worked in. Was regularly spotted in a few coffee shops and always had time to talk to anyone, the locals were full of nothing but praise for him.
My mum n dad
Yep. Now I have guilt. I should have said my mum for putting up with me for 30 years, and my wife for the last 28 years. Not sure how/why either of them have but I love them for it and so much more. (I'm jealous of folks with great dads. But that's another thread for another day.)
Tracy Moseley.
+1 for Ray Mears
Fatima Whitbread. Finally met a childhood hero a few years ago at a charity gig at a Royal Garden party.
An authentically warm, friendly and genuine human with no air of celebrity or ego about her.
+1 for Ray Mears. I was fortunate to attend some SERE training led by him, the man is a font of knowledge a passionate advocate of the outdoors and a really bloody nice bloke.
Ian Brown
You sure about that? some of the things he says suggest he's a grade-A walloper.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/ian-brown-deletes-all-of-his-coronavirus-conspiracy-tweets-2789738
Greta Thunberg
Ray Mears can get in the sea. GBeebies ****
Marie Gentles
As seen on ' Helping our teens' on iplayer. Leading UK child behavioural expert passionate about helping young people achieve positive changes in their lives.
Justin Fletcher
I know many may find him annoying in his Mister tumble guise, but his work promoting Makaton signing (and the inclusion of SEN children in his programmes) has had a massive positive effect for children with delayed learning and communication difficulties.
You sure about that? some of the things he says suggest he’s a grade-A walloper.
He wasn’t nominating Ian Brown unless I’m looking at the wrong post.
Not Ian Brown, never met him.
I did used to drink and play pool at the Broadway pub in Moston with Mani before he became famous.
Went to a Lone Pigeon gig with a friend of mine who adored Steve Mason from The Beta Band.
Mani recognised me, came over and introduced her to Steve, who sat and chatted with her for ages. She had terminal breast cancer and was obviously very unwell.
So yeah, Mani and Steve Mason can be added to the list as well.
As can Keith Bailey, bass player with anarcho hippies Here and Now.
We turned up at a gig of theirs at Hulme Labour Club aged 14 or 15.
He gave us money to phone our parents and insisted we tell them where we were and that we were ok, offered to pay for a taxi back to north Manchester and made sure we were fine.
He wasn’t nominating Ian Brown unless I’m looking at the wrong post.
Ahh, sorry, I missread.
I met Mick Fleetwood in a village pub in thornburough once, Pub called the Two Brewers...really nice friendly bloke, just like any other nice punter to be honest, I was too young to realise who he was at the time untill my dad told me when we got home!!!
I was so young I was on vimto in glass bottles, my old man was on Guinness. I don't recall what Mick was drinking.
A couple of my mum's work colleagues met Ewan McGregor in Prague. They were on a budget, but had decided to treat themselves to a cocktail in the bar of a nice hotel.
He was staying there with the crew while filming Long Way Round. He overheard their Scottish accents, came over and introduced himself, then invited them to join them for dinner.
Seemingly, just a nice, charming, down-to-earth guy. Bought their dinner and drinks and blethered to them all evening.
came over and introduced himself
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How could I possibly have left out Kevin Sinfield (arise Sir Kevin).
Got a couple
Ewan McGregor. Starwars, Trainspotting, Young Adam then Round the world on his bike. Came across really well
Also a stw thing after watching Mark Beaumont on GCN, Laura Penhaul....
Oh and Mark Boeamont...
David King: co-inventor of the catalytic converter, former master of Downing College, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Blair government, former Chair of Indie Sage, sponsor of environmental causes, all round good bloke.
How much more could you cram into one lifetime?
Ewan McGregor was quite a nasty school bully (I used to work with one of his victims).
Ewan McGregor was quite a nasty school bully (I used to work with one of his victims).
I take second hand bullying stories from back in the day with a mighty pinch of salt. Its often far more nuanced than good kid bad kid and it's often just part of growing up. Plus, people change.
just part of growing up
nice :/ I'll tell my son next time I see him that the years of misery at school was "just part of growing up". ****!
My mum n dad, my best friend of more than 15 years. Because I actually know them in real life and I quite frankly dont give a rats bum about random people who for whatever reason are admired for doing stuff that has no bearing on me.
Random people who do stuff that has no bearing on you?
So, you've never watched a great film, read a great book, heard a piece of music that's moved you, watched a fantastic comedian, admired the work of an environmentalist or even a politician? Never needed to visit a building designed by famous architect, been astonished by a great work of science, or fallen in love with an artwork? Never enjoyed the commitment and skill of athletes?
Ian McKellen was a nice chap when I met him at school, and still appears to be now
Pub called the Two Brewers
My local. How many years ago was Mick F there, and why was he in the area?
Ewan McGregor was quite a nasty school bully (I used to work with one of his victims).
nice :/ I’ll tell my son next time I see him that the years of misery at school was “just part of growing up”. ****!
Someone you used to work with turned into your son.
I was bullied by a particular boy, through primary until whenever it was that our academic ways parted, in comprehensive school. He appeared in the pub, at the end of 6th form, and started talking to me as if we'd always been friends. I still remember thinking how odd and unsettling it was. Anyway, OT!
nice :/ I’ll tell my son next time I see him that the years of misery at school was “just part of growing up”. ****!
You left the word 'often' out of my quote, deliberately I assume. Sometimes bullying is serious, I assume from your reaction that it was in your son's case. Often it's just part of growing up, kids say and do stuff that we call bullying because they don't understand the boundaries or the effect their behaviour has on others, they learn when that behaviour is tackled. I don't see what's so controversial about that?
There's at least one person named on this thread who has a drink driving conviction!
Due to my job I've met and worked with a ton of famous musicians, pretty much all of them have been really down to earth and nice. Dan Hawkins always stands out as being a particularly good egg. There's only one I've met who has been a complete arse but won't name names. If you know guitarists you can probably guess who anyway 🙂
The Nurse, who yesterday held my hand in A&E whilst administering oramorph for my kidney stone pain. I was in writhing agony and I think her hand holding compassion worked better than the oramorph. Chapeau to the NHS!
yosemitepaul
The Nurse, who yesterday held my hand in A&E whilst administering oramorph for my kidney stone pain. I was in writhing agony and I think her hand holding compassion worked better than the oramorph. Chapeau to the NHS!
I had Ketamine, 10 minutes in I couldn't have given a flying **** what was wrong with me, probably shouldn't have driven 2hrs later though. But I blame that on my friend who was an orthopaedic registrar who turned up as though he was taking me home 😉
I'm adding Patrick Kielty to my list.
He's a comedian I've always liked, naturally funny and intelligent.
After his thought provoking 'peace' speech during the closing minutes of the 'Late,Late show' he's now worthy of a mention.
Probably not familiar to 95% on here but Fay Godwin was a brilliant photographer and lovely human being. Compassionate and cared hugely about the countryside as well as its annexation by landowners. Met her on many occasions but only in my teens when I probably didn’t fully appreciate her take on life.
Hamza Yassin - lives over in Kilchoan and often pops over on the ferry to the Tobermory Co-Op for his shop, even in his post-Strictly days. Appears to have the time of day for anyone - I was running along the road with my dog, whilst he was chatting to a friend on a narrow pavement, saw me coming and kindly moved over.
Gordon Buchanan visits his mum here and is easy going and chatty - he grew up here.
Rowan Atkinson has a holiday home nearby and comes into the shop occasionally - doesn’t make a fuss.
Terry Wogan. Saw him in a flight to Madrid. He was whisked through by airport staff in Heathrow with his wife in a wheelchair.
In Madrid he didn't get the same niceties. Airport porter pushed his wife. They stood at the luggage pick up, him chatting to the porter then he tipped him €50. Just seemed like a nice bloke.