Saturday 13 January 2007

Guest: Simon Cowell

© Charlie Gray 2007

He's the only one that talks sense on X-Factor et al... at least he's honest. Louis Walsh just talks rubbish. Very canny business man. And seems personable if arrogant. Would like to talk to him about ideas!

Guest: Michael Palin



He's got a nice face. And he's funny. And he seems like a nice bloke with interesting stories to tell.

Friday 12 January 2007

Guest: Joanna Lumley



Classy lady. I'd ask her for tips on being elegant. Although I don't think it's something that can be taught.

Guest: Viggo Mortensen



But only as Aragorn. Haven't really seen him in anything else. Those eyes though...

Guest: Daniel Craig


Thinking about Judi Dench led me onto Daniel Craig, naturally(!). I loved 'Casino Royale'. I thought it was a great film. Didn't know how Mr Craig would fare as the lothario spy, but by the end of the film I was totally there. He definitely did it for me. Nice big hands too.

Guest: Judi Dench



Legend! I think she's brilliant. I love her as 'M' in the James Bond films. Very competent, but also apparently lots of fun. Seems quite a wise person. Would really like to meet her.

Guest: Peter Kay



Also hilarious. And very cheeky. He was one of Parky's guests when I went to see it being recorded. So much had to be cut for the TV just to keep it within the time! Just like his voice and the way he tells his stories.

Guest: Billy Connolly



He is hilarious. A great raconteur. Or 'Wreck on Tour' as one of his tours was called. It took me ages to get that. He's a mate of Michael Parkinson's, and has met the Queen as well - he's got a CBE. And I really liked him in Mrs Brown.

Guest: Michael Parkinson


When he was still with the BBC I went to London once to watch his show being recorded live. It was great. He's the King of Chat! He's met so many interesting people, I'd love to hear some of his stories.

Guests: Men's Coxless Four (2004 Olympic Games, Gold medal winners)



Being a rowing fan and a (very amateur) rower myself, I would have to have Sir Steve, Sir Matthew, Tim and James high on the guest list. I saw Tim Foster at Henley Royal Regatta last year. And Steve Redgrave turned on the Christmas lights in Meadowhall one year when I was at unversity in Sheffield. My dad saw Matthew Pinsent on Hod Hill in Dorset. Apparently his parents live near there. And a friend of mine did the Atlantic Rowing Race last year, the one that James Cracknell did, so she knows him. Lots of 'ins'. How exciting. Nice to have some tall men around. Plus they all know the Queen too. She's such a hob-nobber.

Thursday 11 January 2007

Guest: Boris Johnson

© TAO Group 2007
Yes, I know he cheated on his wife and he's a bit of a buffoon sometimes (well, a lot of the time) but he's also quite clever, writes well and he makes me laugh.

Tuesday 9 January 2007

Guest: Adam Brody



I think he's cute. I don't know whether it's Seth Cohen (his character in 'The O.C.') or Adam Brody I'm liking here, but he seems laid-back, funny and cool in a slightly geeky way. I like him. I'd like to give him a big hug. Although, he might be a bit skinny for good hugs... Hmmm.

Guest: Emma Thompson


These guests are not going in preference order, other than starting with the Queen. Emma Thompson seems like a fun and down-to-earth lady who is very good at what she does. As I have aspirations to be a screenwriter, I'd like to meet her and chat about that.

Guest: Sir David Attenborough

© Ben Osborne

He's already met the Queen, several times. I think Sir David is brilliant. I grew up watching his TV programmes and absolutely loved the more recent Blue Planet and Planet Earth. He is just so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I really admire people like that. And now he's campaigning for us to do more to protect the Earth. And he's still going strong at 80 years old. Fantastic. (Happy Birthday for 8 May.)

Guest: The Queen

© Camera Press
It's a garden party so the Queen has to come. Plus I really want to meet her. She is very good at her job. She does her homework. And she seems like she has a great sense of humour. I am definitely a fan of the Queen. Stops egocentric politicians having it all their own way. Plus the Royal Family isn't as expensive as everyone likes to say - they cost British taxpayers about 62p a year. I'm happy to pay it - I think they're much more valuable than that. The revenue the generate in terms of tourists visiting Britain probably makes up for that easily.

Introduction

There are lots of people who I would like to meet. But when people ask me, I forget how great some people are and can't think of anyone for a fantasy dinner party. It's one of those list questions that floats around isn't it - a list of famous people, dead or alive, who would appear at your ultimate dinner party. Well I've decided to do a garden party, because I like outdoors (obviously the weather will be fabulous for my party) and there are just so many people I would like to meet, for various reasons. I'm going to list my fantasy garden party guest list here. Feel free to make suggestions, although I may just ignore you. I'm also planning on putting up some recipes for food and drink that I might consider serving to my guests. And some possible locations.