Meeting Mr Sulu

The news that actor George Takei plans to wed his gay lover now that the Californian marriage laws have changed took be back to an encounter with the diminutive actor some twenty one years ago. It was the day of the 1987 General Election and I was going to London to carry out some family history research at the London Metropolitan archives in Farringdon. We had decided that as it was election day we'd both cast our vote before I caught the five past eight train from Christchurch into Waterloo. That was the earliest train I could catch to make sure I arrived in London after 10 and therefore qualified as a cheap day return and meant it was only a short ride on the Circile line to Farringdon station.

Anyway waiting for the Polling station to open I did something that was very rare at the time and something that I never do now - watched breakfast t.v - GMTV to be precise. One of the guests that morning was George Takei who was in the U.K to do some publicity connected with Star Trek, I can't remember much about the interview except for the fact that he laughed a lot at whatever the interviewer (Mr Holmes?) said. Anyway Janis and I went to the Polling Station, incidentally in doing so she became the first person in Christchurch to cast their vote, and I went off on the 8:05.

This was long before mobile phones and internet connections and if you wanted to keep in touch you needed a decent supply of ten pence pieces. Anyway I got into town, changed trains and was sitting on the train at Liverpool Street when this small figure wearing the most outrageous checked trousers and matching jacket sat down on the seat opposite me. I did one of those cartoon double takes and said, oh yes the most original line in celebrity ville, "Excuse me but are you George Takei?"

"I certainly am," he replied with that big grin of his.

"Bloody hell, I've just travelled up from Dorset, I saw you on TV three hours ago and now you're here - I know this is naff but can I have your autograph?"

"Sure."

I then realised that the only paper I had on me was a A4 notepad in my briefcase, which he duly signed and which I still have in my 'box of memories' - look even blokes can get sentimental.

Anyway this guy who was standing by one of the doors looked at me and said, "I know him don't I?" I explained who he was and he said, "Wow, look can I have a piece of paper, my missus will never believe me."

So there you have it, I have met one of the original Star Trek cast, now I know Lt.Uhura would have been a better choice but let's not be greedy here.

I guess the signs were there if you looked hard enough