Gareth David-Lloyd

Gareth David-Lloyd will be better known to Torchwood fans as Ianto the once labelled Tea-boy who actually held Torchwood together.
Unfortunately the character of Ianto was killed off at the end of the last series but we live in hope that he can still be brought back.

Since the end of Torchwood Gareth has been working on other projects including playing in his band Blue Gillespie.

I had written to Gareth before, 3 years ago asking him to sign a birthday card for my daughter's 16th. He did oblige and wrote a personal note so I knew he was a good signer.

I wrote this time on 11th April and the turn around was just 4 weeks as I received the reply on 7th May.

 Address sent to:-
Gareth David-Lloyd
c/o CAM Ltd
First Floor, 55-59 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
W1D 6LD

Suzi Perry

Suzi is another idol of mine. A woman doing great work for Womankind and a great Role Model for young girls.

Suzi will be most known to some people as the face of the BBC MotoGP coverage.
To me she is the Queen of Gadgets. She has been presenting The Gadget show on Channel 5 now for 7 years alongside Jason Bradbury and Jon Bentley. She also recently presented How to take stunning Pictures which was a great show with lots of hints and tips from top photographers.

This was a fantastic Success for me. I sent the letter and 3 photos (Which I took myself at last year's GSL) on 30/03/11. I received a lovely email from Suzi on 18/04/11 and the photos arrived back with me on 20/04/11 This was great as Suzi was busy in Birmingham for the week with Gadget show live.

I wrote to Suzi using this address
C/O Hilary Knight Management
Grange Farm
Church Lane
Old
Northampton
NN6 9QZ

I also received a Slip with this address on
C/O Artaz Management
26 Castlecroft Gardens
Finchfield
Wolverhampton
WV3 8LN

Phillip Schofield (2)

Although I already have a signed photo of Phil that I won in the Forum jembiegraphs.blogspot.com/Schofe
I wanted to get some photos personally signed so I sent a couple of prints off to his management company.

The turnaround for reply was really quick - only a few days but unfortunately the pics I sent were sent back unsigned and I received this very handsome 8x10 instead.

I think I am going to try again through This Morning but I will have to hurry as they break up soon.
So I sent my letter 11/04/11 and received 14/04/11 so only 3 days which is very fast.

Address used
C/O James Grant Media ltd
94 Strand on the Green
Chiswick
London
W4 3NN

Karen Brady

Karen Brady is my idol. She is a super successful Football Executive. She became the first woman Managing Director in Football at the age of 23 in 1993 at Birmingham City.
Karen is now Vice Chairman of West Ham United as well as being Lord Sugar's right hand woman on the Apprentice.

This was another great fast response. I wrote to Karen on Monday 4/04/11 and received a reply back on Thursday 7/04/11

The address I used was
C/O West Ham United
Boleyn Ground 
Green Street 
London 
E13 9AZ

Nigel Clough

Nigel Clough is the Manager of My football team Derby County FC.
I met him a couple of years ago at a signing at the club shop and got his autograph on a club card and on a scarf. I also took this photo of him which I always planned to get signed at some point.

This was a mighty fast response from Nigel, I sent it Tuesday 5/04/11 and received it back on Thursday 7/04/11.

The address I sent it to was just
C/O DCFC
Pride Park Stadium
Derby

Jason Bradbury

Jason Bradbury is a man of many talents. He is Author of Best-selling book Dot Robot; A Gadget, Computing and Gaming expert and top presenter on Five's The Gadget show. He is always on the go doing crazy and whacky stunts for TGS. He is also one of my favourite Twitter celebs always posting pics of what he's up to.


I wrote to Jason 29/09/09 and received a reply 14/07/10 that is a massive turnaround of 41 weeks but Jason is a very busy man I am really grateful that he signed the 2 pics I sent as well as writing a little note on the back of both of them.


Address used
Jason Bradbury
C/O Arlington Enterprises Ltd
1-3 Charlotte St,
London,
W1T 1RD

Aaron Johnson

In the year since I first wrote to Aaron his world has changed and he is known to the world for so much more.
When I first wrote to him it was after seeing the movie "Angus thongs and perfect snogging" and E4 TV series "Nearly Famous". I actually sent quite a lot of photos and asked him to sign. Now Aaron is known to the world as action comic book hero "Kick-Ass" and he has also played young John Lennon in "Nowhere Boy"


I wrote to Aaron 25/07/09 and received a reply in just under a year 01/07/10 I was quite disappointed as I sent several photos asking for them to be signed and just received 1 autographed picture card back.

The address I wrote to was

Aaron Johnson
c/o HAMILTON HODELL LIMITED
Fifth Floor
66-68 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SR

Greg James

Greg James is the relatively new kid on the block at Radio 1. I first heard him on the early breakfast show covering for JK & Joel on a Friday Morning after winning an honour at the Student radio awards. I knew back then he would be a future star.

Since then he was given the early breakfast show for his very own. He has become the Radio 1 utility man - standing in on every show whenever the presenter is off ill or on holiday.

Greg has been a breath of fresh air for me on the station that had become a bit boring and predictable.

I wrote to Greg at the usual Radio 1 address. I sent 2 pictures which (Like the Richard Bacon success) were 2 photos that he had posted on twitter.

Greg signed both and wrote a little message on both explaining the photo which I thought was lovely.

Sent 29/09/09
Received 17/10/09...Turnaround of 18 days.
Address used:-
C/O BBC Radio1
London
W1N 4DJ

Richard Bacon

I am trying a new tactic when writing to celebs. I am using photos that they have posted to their own twitter accounts.
Richard took it with good humor and wrote a couple of witty messages on the back of the photos I sent.Richard is most notoriously known as the Blue Peter presenter who was sacked for dabbling in drugs - However, this hasn't harmed his career. I think Richard is a very good presenter and really enjoy his evening show on 5live. He has also presented Matthew Wright's show on Five and Something for the weekend.



I wrote to Richard care of BBC radio 5Live.
I sent the request on July 2nd and received the reply September 10th which is a turn around time of around 2 months.

Address used
C/O
BBC Radio 5 live,
Television Centre,
Wood Lane,
London
W12 7RJ

Stephen Fry

I finally after all these years got round to writing to Stephen Fry after a lifetime of great entertainment.
I follow Stephen on Twitter and just wanted him to know how much I enjoy his tweets.
I used 2 photos that Stephen posted on Twitter.


Excellent turn around time. The best I have known for such a great wonderful and also as busy a star as Stephen is. I sent my letter on Monday July 20th and received a reply today Wednesday July 29th.

Address used:-
C/O HAMILTON HODELL LIMITED
Fifth Floor
66-68 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SR

Philip Schofield

This one is a little different as it isn't one I wrote off for or from a celebrity that I met.

This signed photo of Philip Schofield I won from Schofieldfans which is the sort of official unofficial fansite.

The site recently had their 3rd birthday and celebrated by giving out prizes.

Torville And Dean

They need no introduction really but Torville and Dean have been back in the public eye this last 3 years as they have developed and performed in "Dancing on Ice".
Most famous for winning a gold at the Olympics with their wonderful Bolero routine they are now selling the Dancing on Ice format all over the world.

I wrote to Jayne & Chris care of the DOI studios on March 7th 2008 and received a reply on May 1st 2008.
This is a turnaround of 8 weeks which is great.

I sent 2 screencaps from the show and received both of them signed plus their official photo so I am really pleased with this result. I also received a letter from Chris & Jane's Personal secretary along with the 3 signed photos.


The address I used was C/O the Dancing on Ice studios but the show is finished now.
However there was an address on the letter which is

Po box 32
Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 OBW

Lucy Griffiths

Lucy has been most well known recently as playing Marian in Robin Hood.
I wrote to her on behalf of my son as well as myself because he is also a big fan of the show.



I am really pleased with the result as not only did Lucy sign one of the photos for Bret, she also wrote a lovely letter on the back of one of the photos.

I sent the request on January 1st 2008 and received a reply on March 7th. This gives an 8 week turn around which is very good and with a success like this, it is worth waiting for.
I sent 2 images from the BBC site of Lucy as Marian in Robin Hood. I sent 2 versions of the same image making it 3 altogether.

Address used :-
Lucy Griffiths
C/O HAMILTON HODELL
5th Floor, 66-68 Margaret Street,
London
W1W 8SR

Freema Agyeman

Freema played the most recent companion in Doctor Who - Martha Jones. I wasn't impressed at first but by mid-way through the series I had warmed to the character. I think Freema is Wonderful though. In interviews she showed great enthusiasm for the part and seemed truly excited to be part of the show.

I wrote to Freema on July 16th and recieved a reply on August 7th which gives a turnaround of 3 weeks which is also very impressive.

I sent 2 stills from Doctor Who which Freema signed/personalised and she also sent back a signed Doctor Who card also personalised.

Address Used:-
C\O J L M
4th Floor, Holborn Hall
193-197 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7BD

Philip Glenister

Philip is most recently known as hard arsed cop Gene Hunt from the BBC time travelling drama Life on Mars.

I wrote to Philip on 13/06/07. Reply received 12/07/07. Turnaround time of exactly 4 weeks. Very impressive.

I sent 2 photos which were screencaps from the show Life on Mars. Unfortunately they were a bit dark but Philip signed both photos for me as well as sending me a Life on Mars promo photo also signed.



Address used
c/o KEN MCREDDIE ASSOCIATES LTD
36-40 Glasshouse Street,
London
W1B 5DL

Joe Dempsie

Joe Dempsie is one of the very talented actors from recent E4 show Skins.
Joe played troubled Chris Miles who loved the party life and woke up one morning to find that his mum had left him.

I wasn't a very big fan of the character of Chris if I am honest but the fact that Joe is a Notts Forest fan and I am very much Derby County I felt the need to write to him and rub it in - In a nice way of course.

Today I recieved a lovely letter from Joe along with the 2 pictures that I asked to be signed.
He has taken my letter in good spirits and the fact that he wrote me back instead of just sending the photos back has meant that he has gone up in my estimations as a great personality as well as a great actor and hopefully a very successful one in the future.

My letter and 2 photos were sent 18/04/07
Reply recieved 12/06/07
That makes an 8 week turnaround.


Address used...

C/O Troika
3rd Floor
74 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1M 5QA

Hannah Murray

Hannah is a very talented up and coming actress. She will be well known to tv show Skins fans as Cassie.

I wrote to Hannah on April 18th and received a reply on May 19th which is a turnaround time of 4 weeks.
I sent 2 pictures which were prints of Screencaps from the show and I received back both pictures signed and also a signed copy of her official management promo photo.


Address used
C/O Troika
3rd Floor
74 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1M 5QA

Steven Gerrard

Quite disappointed about this one.

I wrote to Stevie G at about the same time as Stuart Pearce. As he is Captain of the Liverpool team and also of the England team I did expect a bit of a wait.

Sent April 20th - Received May 3rd

I was impressed with the turn around time only 2 weeks.
I guess Liverpool have someone to deal with fanmail though as the picture I sent was returned unsigned and I got with it it a pre-signed Liverpool/Adidas photocard. I believe the picture isn't a pre-print though as there was some transfer of ink so it would have either been a pre-signed pic or maybe "secretarial"

I will call this a success.


Address used

C/O Liverpool FC
Anfield road
Liverpool
Merseyside
L4 OTH

Stuart Pearce

This is the quickest turnaround I have had in a long time.

Stuart Pearce is the Legendary England Defender. He is also probably most known as stalwart defender for Notts Forest but we will gloss over that. I managed to get hold of some pics of him playing for Derby County and couldn't resist asking him to sign them for me and my sister.

Stuart is now manager of Man City so that is where I wrote to him. He is also Manager of the England U21 squad.

I sent my request with 3 photos on Friday April 20th.
I received the reply on Thursday April 26th - That is just 6 days even with a 2nd class stamp.

Thank you!

Address used
C/O Manchester City FC
City of Manchester Stadium
Sportcity
Rowsley Street
Manchester
M11 3FF

WILL YOUNG

Yes you read it right. Will Young as in the gorgeous popstar with the wonderful voice.
I went to see Will on tour back in September in Notts with my 2 sisters. When I got my pictures printed out I decided to have a go at writing to him care of one of the venues he was yet to visit. I had never bothered before as I heard that he doesn't often sign but I had to give it a shot.

I sent my letter to Will on the 20th September care of Newcastle metro arena. I didn't know what to expect really and after a month or so I forgot all about it...Until today when I was jumping all around the room when I opened up the envelope.
Will had very kindly signed all 4 pictures and the page from last year's calendar that I sent and he had also signed a picture for my sister as I asked him to. At the time it was because her birthday was in December and I was hoping if I got a reply in time I could frame it for her as a present but now it will just be a gift out of the blue for her.

I worked out the turn around time to be 19 weeks and 1 day
I will only post 2 of the pictures.