I used to work in a call centre

And once I got a call from Hugo Race. I said "are you *the* Hugo Race?" and he said "um...I don't know". I said "were you the lead singer of [not as good or famous contemporaries of Nick Cave in his early career] the Wreckery?". He said 'yes'. I said 'hang on', put the phone down, went over to the only other person in the call centre who would know who Hugo Race was, got her to put their call on hold, and proudly said "I am now on the phone to Hugo Race", much to her amusement.

A few months later, I got a call from former TV show host and saxophonist James Valentine. Once again, I asked whether he was 'the' James Valentine and once again the answer was "um...I don't know". This time I thought I'd be clever and instead of saying 'were you the host of the Afternoon Show?' I said 'were you Paul Kelly's saxophonist?'. He said yes, and I went (in an excited fanboy voice) "oh my God I used to watch the Afternoon Show and my friends said I used to look just like you and they said I should go on your show just to prove I wasn't you..." (this is true) and then there was a pause and he nervously laughed and said 'er...OK', and I just realised that I sounded like a loony stalker. Also, he'd given me his address as part of confirming his identity.

So I like to think that was two minor former celebrities whose day I made, but it was probably one whose day I made and one who I frightened.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Fri 26 May 2006, 1:46, Reply)