Lincoln autograph hunter adds Ridley Scott to collection of over 1,000 signatures
His celebrity autographs include Tom Cruise
James Buchanan with his son Leo (left) waiting to try and get Ridley Scott’s autograph, which they later got. He’s also met lots of other celebrities, including Tom Cruise (right). | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite/James Buchanan
A Lincoln autograph hunter who once climbed over a wall to meet David Bowie has now added Hollywood film director Ridley Scott to his growing collection of more than 1,000 signatures.
James Buchanan first became obsessed with celebrities when he was a big fan of Kylie Minogue during his teenage years. This led to him to go to television studios hoping to meet her, which he successfully did a few times.
The 48-year-old civil servant has now been collecting autographs for around 30 years, meeting actors and actresses including Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Michael Sheen, James McAvoy, Colin Firth, Russell Crowe, Jason Donovan, Amy Adams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hanks, and Tom Cruise, as well as singer Frank Sinatra and director Stan Lee.
When James met Tom Cruise.
It was his obsession with Kylie Minogue that first started his interest in getting autographs.
He also met Jason Donovan!
James and his son Leo met director Stan Lee.
He also once met Joaquin Phoenix – who is currently filming for Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Bonaparte biopic at Lincoln Cathedral – at a BAFTA Awards after party, and says the actor doesn’t like attention but did sign autographs. And James has also been allowed to stand at the side of the red carpet at awards ceremonies.
James spent most of the day on Thursday waiting near Lincoln Cathedral in the hope of meeting Ridley Scott, who he has always wanted the autograph of. It was James’ lucky day as, along with his son Leo, he met the “nice” Hollywood director and they both got his signature.
James waited outside Lincoln Cathedral to get Ridley Scott’s autograph – he succeeded. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
When James met Will Smith.
James was happy to meet legendary actor Russell Crowe.
James posing for a photo with actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
When James met actor Johnny Depp.
He told The Lincolnite: “It is hard work, but once you get into it there’s a real buzz.
“I once climbed over a wall to meet David Bowie at TFI Friday’s studios around 20 years ago. Security had blocked off the road, but I didn’t let that stop me and I saw an opportunity.
“At the end of the road was a wall the leads to a housing estate, so I climbed it and waited, before shaking David Bowie’s hand and he signed an autograph. He was pleasant to meet, I only had 20 seconds with him, but he’s a legend.
“It still gives me the buzz now. I regret it sometimes due to the hard work and the hours waiting in the cold, but it is worth it in the end.”
James with his son Leo outside Lincoln Cathedral during the filming of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Bonaparte biopic. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
James with actor Colin Firth.
James with actor James McAvoy.
Actress Amy Adams posed for a photo with autograph hunter James.
James has met legendary actor Tom Hanks a few times.
James also previously met Tom Hanks a few times, including at the White Hart when he was filming the Da Vinci Code in Lincoln. James said Tom didn’t want to give him a signature but said a quick hello, while Ian McKellen, Jean Reno and Ron Howard all spoke to him and signed autographs.
At the Savoy in London in November 2021, James met both Will Smith and Idris Elba. He also met Will Smith again a second time, although this time by coincidence during a holiday in New York. And James and his son Leo have also recently met Sebastian Stan and Salma Hayek.
Just last week they managed to meet king of theatre Andrew Lloyd Webber in Lincoln after getting a tip off that he was in the city.
James with actor Henry Cavill.
James with Michael Hutchence, who was the lead singer of INXS.
When James met Michael Sheen!
The passion for getting autographs runs in the family as James’ 16-year-old son Leo has started a collection, which has reached around 100.
However, it doesn’t always go smoothly as when Leo was recently running alongside Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington, they claimed the actor said ‘no’ to an autograph. Shortly afterwards they met Keith Lemon who happened to be walking around the corner and did agree to an autograph.
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An emergency road closure will be put in place for two hours in Stamford’s Red Lion Square on Wednesday as expert crews carry out road materials testing.
The critical work will take place on Wednesday, May 25 and the road closure in and around the square will be in effect from 10am until 12pm. A full route diversion will be signposted.
The roads will have to be closed because some of the materials testing will be carried out on the live northbound traffic lane in the area.
The route map for traffic whilst testing is underway. | Photo: LCC
Just last week a forty-year-old gas main was discovered during works to replace the old cobbles in Red Lion Square, which the county council said was likely to delay the completion of the £1.4 million project. The site team began the works but later identified the shallow gas main on-site that may need to be diverted.
Lincolnshire County Council will keep, and update, the cobbled square despite the mayor of Stamford previously calling on the authority to instead use tarmac. Local residents had previously reacted in horror when the traditional paving setts were repacked with patches of tarmac in 2020.
Red Lion Square in Stamford. | Photo: LCC
Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience that these material tests will cause and for the late notice of the road closure in Red Lion Square.
“Our on-site team has uncovered questions about the road materials which need clear answers and these can only come about through these tests.
“Rather than postpone the works further we will close the road for two hours to carry out the tests and then resume to the original plan of works for the area. We are doing this to absolutely minimise the disruption to road users as much as possible.
“Whilst this situation is not ideal, we appreciate the efforts of all concerned. I want to thank everyone effected for their patience in this matter whilst we carry out these tests.”
Over 300 kilos of essential food was donated to Lincoln Foodbank at the opening night of the Hunchback of Notre Dame on Monday, and the show’s producers are offering a prize draw of free tickets to people who continue to help the cause.
The Starring Lincoln Theatre Company’s production of the classic Victor Hugo novel had its opening night at Lincoln Cathedral on Monday, May 23, and it will continue to bring shows to the legendary venue until Saturday, June 4.
The company called on ticket buyers to bring food donations with them to the cathedral for Lincoln Foodbank, and the results certainly did not disappoint.
Andrew Buhagiar, a 20-year-old student from Malta, stars in the production as Quasimodo. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Over 300kgs of goods such as UHT milk, sugar, tuna and tinned foods were collected at the cathedral, a brilliant start to Starring Lincoln’s target of four tonnes – which was achieved during performances of Oliver! in 2017.
The appeal has never been more necessary, with Lincoln Foodbank taking on more people’s needs than ever before, and it has even reached the stage where some of the Hunchback performers are relying on the use of the food bank.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Visitors are being invited to continue bringing food donations with them, with a collection point situated in the nave of the cathedral.
All donations are welcome, even from those without tickets to a Hunchback production, and anyone who brings something along will be entered into a prize draw to win a ticket to one of the shows.
A magical display inside Lincoln Cathedral. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Tim Marks, who plays Clopin in the Hunchback of Notre Dame said: “It is heartbreaking frankly that people in one of the richest countries in the world simply cannot afford food.
“We know the people of Lincoln have gone above and beyond before with their kindness and crikey we thank them for it, but the Foodbank has never been more in need of donations.
“We have friends, some of whom in the cast who are in need of the Foodbank’s services, so please bring what you can and in return we promise we will entertain you with an absolute stonker of a show!”
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