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Paul's lifestyle with the rich and famous
Scarborough autograph hunter Paul Bradley is engrossed with the glamour of stage, screen and music ... he told Kirsty Beever of his encounters with the stars.
IT started with a part-time job at the Futurist – now autograph collector Paul Bradley, of Scarborough, is regularly invited to a host of exclusive events alongside the world's most famous stars of stage and screen.
To add to his amazing lifestyle, the 42-yearold gardener has more than 5,000 autographs from actors, directors, singers and soap personalities from across the globe.
Reporter Kirsty Beever asked him about his fascinating hobby, his humble home life, and his many famous friends.
PAUL Bradley's genuine hobby began 24 years ago when he started a job at the Futurist. There he met entertainer Bobby Davro whom he befriended and even appeared on stage in some of his act.
Paul said: "It was great. The Futurist was a fantastic opportunity for me to meet some big names and it showed me a different side to Scarborough."
During the 1980s he met a host of stars including Tom O'Connor, Danny La Rue and Jimmy Cricket and his autograph collection began. After his initial brush with fame, Paul wanted the chance to meet more famous people, so he took a job at Butlins in Bayswater. He attended large events, such as WImbledon and the Chelsea Flower Show, and began to build up the collection.
He said: "Working away from home gave me more confidence and I was able to approach stars much more easily."
He came back to Scarborough in 1997 and set up as a self-employed gardener.
Some years later he received a letter from Carry On star Jack Douglas.
Paul said: "In his letter he told me he had kept a letter I had sent him some years ago – and he asked if me if I would like to go to his 75th birthday at Pinewood Studios.
"Of course I accepted, and I went down and he introduced me to The Heritage Foundation. The Foundation raises money for various charities and it pays tribute to the stars that are alive and honour the ones that have passed away."
Paul has been involved with the Heritage Foundation for five years and regularly goes down to London to attend the lunches and black tie dinners which are linked with it.
Many film and TV stars also attend the functions and Paul is able to chat freely with them, snatch photographs and, of course, build up his autograph collection.
Paul will also take the opportunity to stay on in London a few more days if he knows there is a film premiere or awards ceremony where there might be stars attending.
Then he will wait with the rest of the crowd in the hope of grabbing an autograph and photograph with them.
He said: "I do have an advantage that some of the stars know me from the Heritage Fund and they introduce me to others. But I think a lot of how I am so successful is because I always dress sensibly and I don't jostle or shout – I have respect for them, and in return they have respect for me.
"I have been incredibly lucky to meet so many film stars and pop stars.
"For instance, I approached Sean Penn and asked him for an autograph. He is notorious for never giving autographs, but he did come over and sign for me."
The amount of autographs he has is phenomenal; they include a huge range of actors, actresses, presenters, socialites, singers, songwriters and comedians.
Paul recalls the time when he met Sir Paul McCartney. "I will always remember it because it was on my birthday in 2005. He had just come back from America. I always carry a photo of him with me, just in case I bump into him. And on this occasion I asked him to sign it, and I asked if he remembered playing in Scarborough in 1964. He said: "I'm really sorry, there is so much that has happened since then."
He said: "I usually have more luck with getting the autographs if I'm on my own with the star. I get good results then. For instance, when I met Sylvester Stallone I knew he was going to a particular casino.
"So, after I had spotted him, I asked him for the autograph and stood and chatted with him for about half an hour.
"I try to do my hobby around London without telling anyone really because it is best done alone.
"I have the right clothes on, usually smart or a suit for one of the dos, and I have the right attitude. They understand it is a genuine hobby and I'm not going to sell it."
He has more than 80 albums full of autographs and photographs presented immaculately, stored safe and locked away in the care of a trusted friend.
Despite his unique lifestyle, Paul remains grounded and realistic about his life.
He now wants to build up his gardening business and is keen to promote his profession.
He said: "I'm a normal working lad and save up to pay my way to go to these things. I want to continue my collection, of course there are still some celebrities I would love to meet, Brad Pitt for instance, and Matt Dillon.
"And in order to do that I need to raise money for the train and hotel. It's not always easy, so it is important I have a regular income."
He continues to have a very balanced outlook on life and dedicates a lot of what he has achieved to the Duke of Edinburgh award he was presented while he was still a teen.
"It built up my self confidence and taught me a lot about life. It taught me about being my own person, and having respect for others.
"You have to make the most out of life, you don't want to waste it - and that is why I have gone out and grabbed these opportunities while I can."
Now Paul is looking forward to his next starstudded lunch in London, in just a few weeks'
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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