Returning to Mrs Bouquet's original post question, I can add a little footnote...
A few years ago, a good friend was in the gym in Rye, doing a little bit of excercise. He finished and headed for the changing room, and suddenly came face to face with Paul McCartney, who lives around here!
My chum was slightly dumbstruck, but the man himself just said 'Well you probably know who I am, but what do you do"!
They had a normal chat as blokes do, and then both went their various ways with a handshake.
I just love that story.