Never meet your heroes, they are all awful

I’M in a meeting with colleagues and the discussion turns to ‘talent’ (famous people, celebs or those who do less work but get paid more than you and me). The name of a handsome has-been comes up and initially I express excitement. I used to like him, both to look at and listen to. But the excitement doesn’t last long as someone goes on to tell a rather revolting story about him. I’m almost surprised but not quite, because for over 10 years it’s been part of my job to meet and interview A-Z-list celebs, and I’ve learned that the ‘never meet your heroes’ warning is justified.

Before anyone goes crying injustice for all the mollycoddled millionaires out there, yes, they get asked the same inane questions over and over again but they are getting paid actual millions to sit there and answer them or to walk 100m in a designer dress/suit, so my sympathy is limited.

I’ve seen ALL kinds of bad behaviour, usually directed at the poor flunky who has to carry their jacket/call their taxis and make sure they have OTT fruit platters awaiting wherever they go, none of which will ever be touched.

One famous and much-loved comedian I did a phoner with was so pompous and rude I couldn’t use a word of the interview. Another time, I asked a very rich movie director two questions about money (his films have made billions) and he cut the interview short.

One of my favourites happened not to me, but to a friend, who when she said thank you for “being a star” to a veteran English actress was told she wasn’t “a star”, she was “the star”. Still, it feels crushing when someone you admire turns out to be a jerk, so if you have any stories about Roy Keane, just don’t tell me please.