WARRINGTON residents have shared fond memories of bumping into famous faces around town, recounting stories that span decades.
When we asked readers on Facebook who the most famous person they had met in Warrington was, responses quickly poured in, with dozens of locals eager to tell their tales.
From royalty to comedians and TV stars, the stories reveal just how many well-known personalities have passed through Warrington over the years.
Several residents recalled meeting Ken Dodd, the legendary comedian, in different local venues.
Jacqui Ellis Toft said: “Met Ken Dodd after his last performance at the Parr Hall just over a year before he died. He’s my all time favourite comedian. Was so worth the wait for him at the stage door. It was after midnight. He stood talking to us, telling jokes and stories for over 20 minutes. An experience we will never forget.”
Susan Feltner also shared a memory: “Ken Dodd when he switched on Warrington’s Christmas lights, we bumped into him at the back of the grotto outside the Barley Mow, he was a really nice man.”
Stephen Edwards with Fatboy Slim (Image: Stephen Edwards)
Others remembered Ken Dodd for his kindness and patience.
Barry Jones said: “Ken Dodd – my dad was the chairman’s chauffeur at Crosfields, when Ken used to play Crosfields theatre many years ago, dad used to drive him home afterwards. He always said he was a proper gentleman.”
Local media connections added extra detail to the legendary comedian’s reputation.
The mighty LukeTheNuke Littler (Image: Craig Andrew Roby)
Gill Tudor replied: “My husband was a photographer with the Guardian at that time, and he was there that night working and got to spend an hour with him chatting in his dressing room before he went on stage… That was one of (if not the) best moments of his career with the paper. He is still to this day proud of telling that story.”
But it’s not all about comedians.
Many readers shared brushes with royalty.
Mary Boundy said: “I met Queen Elizabeth when she opened the Golden Square, she shook my hand and spoke to me.”
Several more, including Annemarie Wood, KatieLee Weasley, and Chris Whitehead, also reported meeting Her Majesty during various Warrington visits.
Andrea Cunningham with David Beckham (Image: Andrea Cunningham)
Local music fans were also out in force.
Philip Lee Jones had an unexpected interaction: “Fatboy Slim, I told the guys at Lizard Inc Records that I was on my lunch break for work, and they told him. Next thing you know, he’s running out the door to sign an album for me. Very nice guy indeed!”
Stephen Edwards added: “Fatboy Slim last year.”
Meeting the Queen (Image: KatieLee Weasley)
Footballers and sports stars featured heavily in readers’ stories – unsurprising in a town with strong sporting links.
David Chadwick reminisced: “Bobby Charlton. Coming out of the Limes Labor club in 1972 got his autograph on the back of a bingo ticket.”
Several mentioned encounters with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Emlyn Hughes, Kenny Dalglish, Luke Littler, David Beckham, Chloe Kelly, and Tim Flowers.
Chloe Kelly with Lisa Flaherty (Image: Lisa Flaherty)
Television personalities and soap stars seemed to be everywhere.
Denise Wallis remembered: “I’ve seen Kym Marsh in a car park, Stockton Heath, and Steven Arnold in Warrington.”
Others had met Peter Kay, Gail from Corrie, and Joe-Warren Plant from Emmerdale, among many others.
For many, the excitement is as much about a fleeting, friendly exchange as it is with the ‘big names.’
From stage doors to shopping centres and sports venues, it seems you never quite know who you’ll bump into next.