Why Norman avoided stars

THE daughter of film critic Barry Norman has told how her late father was so committed to his work he avoided rubbing shoulders with the stars to keep his “integrity” both as a professional and a father.

Norman died last month, aged 83 and Emma Norman, one of his two daughters, told the Radio Times: “When we were young dad didn’t bring stars home – in fact he didn’t want to be friends with stars at all. Dad had so much integrity I think he felt it might affect his work.”

But she admitted he had a deep admiration and affection for the industry’s highest flyers, adding:

“Dad loved Steven Spielberg and met him many times.”