Gordon Ramsay

I have wanted to write to Gordon Ramsay for a long time.
He has a lot of knockers who don't like him but I really enjoy watching him.
I love the 'F' Word and the live cook off shows that he does. I do love Nightmares but sometimes it makes me cringe.

I sent 2 photos to Gordon and an SAE (as always). I received the photos back signed and personalised with a lovely letter from his assistant.
My SAE was also sent back to me as the items were all sent in a Gordon Ramsay card backed envelope. That's great as I can use it again.
Great turnaround of 10 days I am very impressed.

I sent my request to
Gordon Ramsay Holdings
(Company)
1 Catherine Place
London
SW1E 6DX
UK
Sent       - 14/11/11
Received - 24/11/11

Danny Wallace

This is one of the quickest turnarounds ever in the history of my autograph collecting.
Danny Wallace is known for lots of things that he has done over the last 10 years.
 He started the Join Me movement in 2001. He also started his own country (called Lovely) in his flat in 2005.
Danny also write the book "Yes Man" which was made into a very successful movie starring Jim Carey.
Danny is currently hosting the Breakfast show on XFM RADIO.

He signed this picture on the back too Which I didn't notice until I went to scan it.
The turnaround for this success was 5 Days!!!

Address I used was
Danny Wallace
C/O XFM London 104.9
30 Leicester Square
London
WC2H 7LA
Sent 17/11/11
Recieved 22/11/11

Jason Manford in person

I've been lucky enough to meet Jason Manford twice in a month.
The first time was at a book signing at Waterstones in Nottingham on October 8th. I bought his book "Brung up proper" and we queued for about an hour.

Jason was lovely. We chatted about Derby for a few minutes (His wife Cat is from Derby and her parents still live here) then he signed my book.

I asked for photo and Jason kindly obliged

So that was the first time.

On November 4th I was lucky enough to have tickets to go see Jason perform his stand-up live at the Assembly Rooms in Derby.
I was so excited as I had the tickets for the better part of the year. I went along with My son Bret, My Sister Debz and her boyfriend Carl.

Jason was absolutely hilarious. I was so glad for the half time interval to come just to get a breather and give my face and ribs a break from the laughing.
After the gig ended Jason was to be signing his book. As I had already had my copy signed, I thought it would be a great idea to get the picture of him and me signed.

I was really nervous as I stood in line even though it had only been a month since the last time I spoke to him. I was absolutely over the moon when it was my turn and Jason said to me " Ive a feeling I've met you before"
I presented the pictures from our last encounter and he gladly signed them for me.

He also sgined Debz and Bret's tickets and I had another photo taken for good measure

Nathan Fillion

OMG I am so Excited about this success. According to fanmail.biz Nathan is a hard man to get a successful autograph from so the fact that I got a reply within a couple of months is AMAZING!!

Nathan is currently most known for the hit TV show Castle. You may remember him from way back and the American sitcom 2 guys and a girl. He also starred in the SciFi TV show Firefly and it's spin off movie Serenity. Then there is my favourite - He played Captain Hammer in Joss Whedon's Hit Internet mini-series Dr Horrible's Sing-along Blog.

This has got to be my best success this year - mainly because it has come from the US and in only 2 months.

Sent 3 photos 22/08/11 - All returned signed by Nathan and received 1/11/11 that's a turn around of 10 weeks!

Address Used:-

Nathan FillionC/O Raleigh Studios Clune Bldg, 2nd floor
5300 Melrose Ave Hollywood,
CA 90038USA

Jason Manford

Jason Manford is a very funny comic who seemed to appear from nowhere. All of a sudden he was on TV all the time. He was a team captain on 8 out of 10 cats, Did - Live at the Apollo, Odd one in, Would I lie to you. Then he was offered the great job of presenting The One Show alongside Alex Jones. Unfortunately something that he did in his private life meant he had to give up the One Show gig. I was gutted by that. What he did was silly but He didn't kill anyone.

However, Jason's career hasn't been hurt. He recently presented an excellent TV program that was like X factor for comics. "Show me the Funny" Where each week this group of up and coming comedians had to do a set in front of a different audience. There were 3 experienced judges - Alan Davies, Kate Copstick and a guest judge. They would pick a bottom 3 and 1 person would be 'evicted' at the end of each show.

 Jason also performed Opera on Born to shine and won the entire competition.

I will also be seeing Jason perform live in November here at Derby Assembly Rooms. I am very excited about that and I hope I get to see him at the Stage door after for a phot op ;)

I wrote to Jason at the end of March this year and received a reply back today 17th September. That is 24 weeks. I am happy with that. I sent 4 photos that I printed myself and Jason signed all 4 He also sent a lovely little letter which made my day.

Thanks Jason.

Sent 30/03/11
Received 17/09/11
Address used
C/O Earache
177 Wardour Street
London
W1F 8WX

Gary Barlow

Well I was cleaning out a cupboard today and I found my Gary Barlow autograph.
Yes it is one of the best autographs I have ever collected. The only reason it was lost in a cupboard was because I had to move in a hurry and everything ended up getting mixed up.

I wrote to Gary  in 1997 when Take That had split. I just sent he letter addressed to him via his big house in Cheshire. It found its way easily and I think I got a reply within the month. I don't think it would be that easy now.
There is 2 more somewhere stored in another box...

Billie Piper

I guess Billie is most well known for the part of  Rose in the first 2 series of the new Dr Who. She has been around a lot longer than that though and started off as a popstar in the 90s.
She has also done many films and a few period dramas too. Most recently she has starred in the popular show Diary of a call girl She is also now married to Lewis actor Laurence Fox and they have a 2 year old boy called Winston.

I had written to Billie before, back when she was a teenage popstar and I have those pictures on my wall but I decided I needed to get an updated autograph from the Doctor Who era. I did try a couple of years ago but never received a reply so I thought I would try again and Hurrah! Success.
I sent my request on 18/04/11 and received it back today 28/07/11. That's a 3 month turn around which isn't bad.
I do realise that there is 2 lots of handwriting on the photo. It doesn't bother me that the agent/PA wrote the To Jen bit as long as Billie signed the photos which were printed and sent by me :)

Address used:-
Billie Piper

C/O Michael Foster Management
55 Newman Street
London,
W1T 3EB

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