GUTTED!

The most exciting thing for an Autograph collector is picking up the post and finding one of their own SAEs. This is because you know its another success! and you can't wait to open it to see who replied. For me it is especially exciting when the stamps are from the US.
So imagine how excited I was last night to get home and find this...

...Only to open it up and find it completely empty!! NOoooooo!!!
Im gutted as I have no idea who it was from. I guess it was either Penn Badgley or Leighton Meester as I wrote to both of them about a month ago.
I am hoping that who ever it was will realise they forgot to put my photos in the envelope and send them on to me but not really must chance of that :(
I may have to write to them both again now but I am going to look like a stalker soon...

John Simm

This is the most amazing reply yet. Well I'm not sure it's better than Bret Hart but I have been trying to get John's autograph for the last 5 years. I have lost count how many times I have written to John in that time and how many different photos I have sent.

I know that the letter I wrote him was long. Most people only seem to think of him as Doctor Who's arch Nemesis The Master but I have been a fan right from the early nineties from such things as The Lakes, Clocking off, Human Traffic, Is Harry on the boat, Never Never and not forgetting 24hr Party People and State of play.Of course as well as Doctor Who his more recent appearances have been in Life on Mars and Mad Dogs.

The latest time that I wrote to John was November last year so after trying for 5 years it only took him 5 months to reply to this request. I am just so happy to finally get his auto and he dedicated both photos to me too which as you know is more special to me. I think I sent a 3rd photo but I only received 2 back so maybe that is John's personal limit :)

John Simm
Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London
W1D 1BS
Save       - 14/11/11
Received - 25/04/12

Olly Murs

Olly Murs was UK X Factor runner-up in 2009. That year the show was won by Joe McElderry.
Since coming second though, Olly has been a lot more successful than Joe unfortunately. He has had 2 succesfull number 1 singles and a number 1 album.
Olly also co-presented the last series of the Xtra factor and will be back to present the next one. He is currently touring the uK and will also be touring the US with 1 Direction.

I wrote to Olly in January. I sent 4 pictures including 1 that I had taken of him last Summer in Sheffield. I am so happy that Olly only took 3 months to reply and signed all 4 pics. What a lovely guy!!

Address used ...
Olly Murs
C/O Modest! Management
The Matrix Complex
91 Peterborough Rd
London,
SW6 3BU

Sent       - 27/01/12
Received- 17/04/12

Andrew Lincoln

I first discovered Andrew Lincoln when he played Egg in This Life way back in the 90s. It was my favourite show by half and he was my favourite character. After This Life he went on to play Simon in Teachers. He has been in loads of other productions since including Love Actually where again he played my favourite character Mark the tortured soul who was in love with his best friend's fiancée.

Of course now Andrew is most known as playing the part of Rick in The Walking Dead.
I wrote to Andrew finally as I wanted to gush to him How much I was enjoying The Walking Dead. I sent my letter in January and received a reply 2 months later. This is good as I sent the request to his UK agency but have no idea when or for how long he will be over here. I sent 3 photos and he signed all of them for me.

Address Used:-

Andrew Lincoln
Markham, Froggatt & Irwin
4 Windmill Street
London,
W1T 2HZ

Sent        - 26/1/12
Received - 20/3/12

Bret Hitman Hart

This is an autograph I have wanted for 20 years!
Bret the Hitman Hart was my wrestling idol so much so that I named my son after him.
The Best there is, the Best there was and the Best there ever will be!

I followed his career very closely. I Have tons of VHS video that I recorded of him on all the various wrestling shows on Sky in the 90s. I also owned every PPV Wrestling show from throughout the 80s and 90s on Video. I spent money on Merchandise and Magazines. I also named my cat Blade after Bret's son Blade Hart.
I know there are a lot of people out there that would scoff at my love of Wrestling but I have seen Bret Hart compete in some of the most amazing matches that have become Legendary especially when associated with the likes of Curt Henig, Davey Boy Smith and Shawn Michaels.

I wrote to Bret care of his Toronto address. I sent several photos including a couple that I wanted signed for my son Bret as it is his 18th Birthday soon. All the photos were returned to me signed in gold pen. It took 4 months which to get to and from Canada is not shoddy at all.

Bret Hart
c/o Random House of Canada
Attn: Author Mail
1 Toronto Street
Suite 300
Toronto, ON
M5C 2V6

Sent -       17/11/11
Recieved - 15/03/12

Nicholas Hoult

You may remember Nick from About a Boy which he starred in when he was just 12 years old. He has done many movies since then and starred in the first 2 seasons of Skins on E4. Nick also starred in the most recent X-Men First class movie.

I Wrote to Nick and sent 2 photos which were stills from Skins. My reply was quick. Nicholas signed both photos that I sent one of which was personalised and he also sent one of his own photos too which was a nice surprise.

I also received a sweet little letter along with the photos which is always a bonus.

I wrote to Nicholas at this address

c/o Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London
W1D 1BS
Sent -       16/11/11
Received - 17/2/12

Sarah Beeny

You may know Sarah from her show - Property Ladder. She also runs a dating website where friends can put up profiles to get dates for their mates.
Sarah also recently did a documentary about the house in Yorkshire that she and her husband are restoring - Rise Hall

Sarah was really fast to reply - Only 1 week - and signed all 3 photos I sent to her. I am really happy with the result.

I wrote to Sarah at the following address
Sarah Beeny
c/o Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London W1D 1BS
UK
Sent -       26/1/12
Received - 02/02/12

Stana Katic

Stana Katic plays the remarkable Kate Beckett in Hit show Castle. The last time we saw her in the show though we were left with a Cliffhanger.
I think that Stana is a stunningly beautiful woman!

I sent 2 prints to Stana 5x7 so they match the prints I sent to Nathan Fillion.
 It took 5 months but that is because I didn't put "AIRMAIL" on my SAE envelope D'UH!

I love the cute messages that Stana wrote on my pictures.
Its successes like this that really make my hobby worth it!!

Address...
Stana Katic
c/o Third Hill entertainment
Toni A Benson
195 S Beverly Dr#400
Beverly Hills
CA 90212
USA

SENT -         22/08/11
RECIEVED - 27/01/12

Jemima Rooper

The first time I saw Jemima on TV was in a tv show called Synchronicity back in 2006. She then appeared in As if and Sky 1 show Hex. The most recent series I have watched her in though was Lost in Austen a brilliant ITV series reliving Pride and Prejudice.

I sent 3 stills from Lost in Austen and received all 3 back signed and personalised as you can see with lovely little messages from Jemima.
Great success taking Exactly 2 months.

Jemima Rooper
c/o Conway Van Gelder Grant Ltd.
8-12 Broadwick Street
3rd Floor
London
W1F 8HW

14/11/11
14/01/12

Michelle Ryan

Remember Michelle Ryan? Zoe Slater of Eastenders?
She has done a lot more since then. Including a great updated version of The Bionic Woman which unfortunately only got 1 season. She has also been a guest Companion on Doctor Who in the Planet of the Dead special episode.

I wrote to Michelle in November and received a reply exactly 2 months later. Fair result compared to others.
I sent 2 photos and received them both back and signed.

Michelle Ryan
Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London
W1D 1BS
14/11/11
13/01/12

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan to a lot of people will always be Sally Sparrow from the Blink Episode of Doctor Who. However since then she has gone on to become an award winning Hollywood actress. She has starred in such amazing films as An Education and The Greatest

I wrote to Carey in November and received a reply 6 weeks later at the end of December. Good result.
I sent 2 stills from Doctor Who and received both photos back signed.

Carey Mulligan
Julian Belfrage Associates
Adam House
14 New Burlington Street
London
W1S 3BQ
14/11/11
29/12/11

Reece Shearsmith

Reece is one of the infamous League of Gentlemen and also Co-writer and star of Psychoville.
I have been a fan of his since right back at the start of the League.

I wrote to Reece a month ago and sent 3 photos. Including one from Pychoville that I am also going to try sending to Steve Pemberton to get signed too.
It was a 4 week turnaround which is a great average. I am very happy with the result.  Great success!

Address I used
Reece Shearsmith
PBJ and JBJ Management,
22 Rathbone Street,
London,
W1T 1LA

Sent -       14/11/11
Recieved - 16/12/11

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