I can’t help it. I’m not a big celeb-follower, and I tend to think that I wouldn’t know most modern celebrities (soap stars, pop acts, etc) if I was squished up against them in a crowd of people calling their name.
Famous people (as distinct from celebrities) are another matter again - some I recognise but can’t name. Some I can even go as far as placing in a particular context (TV show? Sports? A film?), but if they’re not in that context when I see them, I’m left hopelessly clamming. I’m constantly being teased in our household for referring to people as “that bloke from, y’know, that programme about houses” or whatever.
That being said, I’ve noticed recently that in the course of my new commute and working environs, I’m seeing many more famous people. For example, in the last twenty-four hours I’ve seen Chris Barrie, Keanu Reeves, Billy Connolly, Kristin Scott Thomas, one of the Bee Gees, Andy from that Little Britain sketch and David Caruso.
Of course, it’s just possible that I might have seen people who bear a resemblance to the above, and my pollution-affected brain is filling in the rest. There must be a word for this: mistakenly identifying people. False-recognition syndrome. Aphasia for faces. Afascia?
I prefer to think that the streets of sunny Clerkenwell are thronged with showbiz luminaries, though.
Weird; I just thought I saw an elderly, white-haired David Caruso carrying shopping bags from Barbican Waitrose.
This week I’ve also seen Alan Rickman (shopping on Marylebone High St) and Aaron Eckhart (in Charlotte St Hotel).
I’m sure I passed Jeremy Clarkson in an Escort the other day on my way home from work…
I saw Roger McGough in a position 4 seat on the Picadilly line last Tuesday. He got off in the centre of town and gave me his seat (which, from position 11, was my divine right).
Sorry - meant to say I was in position 9.
I ran into Donny from Big Brother in Manchester last week. Does that count? :-)
WHO??
Is it bad that I have no idea who you’re talking about, frisky?
what’s scarier is that (mainly thanks to Lorna) I do know who Donny is .. even recognised him drinking in The Kensington a few weeks back .. kill me now
I’m still convinced that I saw Matt Damon at the closing party for the Seattle International Film Festival, ~4 years ago.
Or was it someone who just looked like him?
I like the simile
but maybe reminds us too much of famous afro/asian faces.
As a new word though, valid and intelligent.