When I bumped into Paul Jewell (former Bradford & Wigan football manager) at Manchester Airport last week it got me thinking about the theory that I have often heard that you are only ever 6 steps away from anyone else on the earth.
Six degrees of separation (also referred to as the “Human Web”) refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth. It was popularized by a play written by John Guare. (source Wikipedia)
I mentioned that I am only 4 steps away from the pop group Take That and here is why
My wife’s uncles business partner is the brother of Jason Orange (a member of Take That) so you can see there a three people between me and Take That.
Now here is the little challenge I would like to throw out there.
How close can you get me to someone really famous or important through whom you know. For example if you knew the Queen I would only be 2 steps away from her.
Now I know some of you don’t know me personally or have even seen me but please play along.
Just reply to this post and we will see who can get me close to someone famous or important.
I will give out some prizes on Friday for the best ones; of course the winners will be announced here on the Blog.
My Dad works for a lady who used to write for Disney.
He also used to work for a close friend/relative of Bill Gates (I forget which! I think it was his nephew actually..).
Dad knew Randy Turpin (famous middleweight boxer of the 40s and 50s) and family.
A friend of mine is friends with Jamila Gavin (famous Indian writer).
Another friend used to live up the road from Aled Jones.
Another friend did some work on Deal Or No Deal.
Another friend used to be a roadie for Slayer.
A friend of my sister’s friend is Adam Woodyatt’s (Ian Beale from EastEnders) niece.
My uncle’s best mate used to be Sting’s chauffeur.
My brother-in-law’s grandfather (don’t know how many generations back) invented the ice cream wafer sandwich thingy.
My old Maths teacher is friends with another teacher who once taught John Lennon.
And there’s a family rumour that we’re related to A.E. Housman (poet of late 1800s).
I think that’s it… lol
Just remembered another! My ex is a cousin of Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The kid who played “Robot” (the small fat kid with the curtains) on Byker grove used to live in my village. We used to shout oi robot F*** off back to the grove. Kids are mean.
You don’t get any more famous than that.
Also my Great Great Great Grandfather was Bruce J Ismay who was rather harshly portrayed in the film Titanic.
My dad was at school and very good friends with Eric Harrison (Manchester United youth team coach) who was coach when David Beckham was in the youth team and as a bonus Becks is good friends with Tom Cruise (and therefore also connected to anyone Tom Cruise is friends with).
Oh and my dad also knew Ted Hughes when he was a boy.
Also my uncle worked for the company which designed the remote arm on the space shuttles, so you are a couple of steps away from knowing a space shuttle or two
)
For what it’s worth I can connect you via my job to the following:
Glen Hoddle – we’re currently making products for him via a rep so that’s 3 steps from you
KK Downing of Judas Priest is mates with one of our reps, that’s 3 steps
Henrik Stenson, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, Boo Weekley and just about every tour player from there within three or four steps.
I can personally connect to Russell of Bloc Party, we started talking while they were still small fry playing local venues, so that’s two steps. Also I know The Duel, who know Devillish Presley, from there we can connect to so many famous punk bands.
Coming to movies, we have a connection to the crew of The Mummy Returns, including Brendon Fraser as my cousin played the Mountain of Flesh in the film. Therefore I can get you to Liz Hurley in four steps including me. That’s not bad!
I’ve met Ricky Tomlinson in a hotel in the Lake District. So that’s three steps again!
I was on Deal or No Deal a few years ago and Noel Edmonds called me delightful
Hi,
My Dad was financial advisor to Charlie Watts’ (The Rolling Stones) cousin. Therefore, you are 3 people from him. Congratulations!
Daryl
Re space shuttle , I watched the laungh of ‘Discovery’ and a few years later met one of the astronauts who was on it at the time.
Also I used to play Piano duets with Nitin Sawney ( composer) as my mum taught him to play the piano.
I know lots of famous cricketers too beacuse I am involved in county cricket but thats kind of cheating.
My nephew works air side in a bar in glasgow airport.
He is on good terms with Colin and Justin (but didn’t know who they were to start with)
He recently served Ant and Dec when they were up filming the Britain’s Got Talent auditions. He said they weren’t very tall. (He is 6’2″!)
My friend at work is friends with, and was in a band with olly murs.
When I was a contestant on BARGAIN HUNT I met James May who was filming some stuff at the antiques fair we were at for Top Gear. I also sat in Tim Wonnacot’s car.
double whammy. beat that!
Last night I dreamt I gave birth to the next messiah. Get in!
Right. Dave I buy my lucky charms from you – my friend Giles filmed a series with ewan mcgregor – who filmed star wars with a whole host of Hollywood types including George Lucas who I friends with Steven spielburg so within 6 steps you in with Oscar winners galore x
I thought this would be a good one seeing as your American Soda I have an American cousin who was at an Obama rally and actually got to shake the hand of the president!! So your 3 steps away from The President of The United States of America
Another one that popped into my head……My ex girlfriends brother works for the MOD and takes the minutes for Gordon Browns meetings!
My first cousin once removed’s godfather is Jack Nicholson, so you’re 3 steps from Jack Nicholson and 4 steps from the many people Jack Nicholson knows.
There’s a photo of that same cousin’s father (my great uncle) at a party and he’s standing talking with Michael Jackson (R.I.P.), so there’s only 3 steps between you and the “King of Pop”
My mum used to work in Helena Bonham Carter’s parents house as a nurse when Helena Bonham Carter was still at school. My mum used to wake her up for school in the mornings sometimes. So there are 3 steps between you and Helena Bonham Carter and 4 steps between you and everyone she knows, including ofcourse Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.
Also, a friend of mine who lives in New York is in a band and they’re signed to Elijah Wood’s record label, so again only 3 steps between you and Elijah Wood, and four steps between you and everyone Elijah Wood knows.
So through me you’re only 4 steps away from a pretty large number of Hollywood actors and considering all the people those actors have worked with you’re probably 6 steps away from nearly every actor in Hollywood.
I was married to a close friend of Mickey Dolenz from the Monkeys. So I knew someone who knew him well so you are 3 people away from Mickey Dolenz.