MANY years ago I bought highly talented pop songstress Annie Lennox a drink. And then she kissed me.

Oddly enough, you will not find the incident in the long list of Great Moments In Pop History.

I even doubt that Annie talks about it in interviews, but sad individual that I am, I live in hope that she will one day walk in to my local pub, tell the landlord to "put one in the pump for Neal" and join me in the snug for some lively banter and a game of dominoes to pay back my largesse.

I mention this small, but cherished episode of my unspectacular career because I have always been fascinated by how people behave during those chance moments when they come across famous people unexpectedly.

Granted, meeting Annie Lennox was hardly a surprise.

I was due to interview her and her band The Tourists for my paper and had I acted astonished and flummoxed upon bumping into her in the bar of the Manchester Apollo, my behaviour would have frankly been unprofessional and stupid.

Yet moments before, I had been wandering the catacombs of the backstage area of the venue looking for Annie and the band when I happened upon a dressing room.

I knocked on the door and Bryan Ferry answered it wearing no trousers. Behind him were the other members of Roxy Music in various stages of undress.

This was 1979 and even the thought, let along the sight, of a half-dressed Bryan Ferry would have had thousands of young women fainting on the spot.

This was a rare opportunity.

I was a professional journalist.

This was one of the biggest and most elusive pop stars of the time.

So I mumbled incoherently, spluttered an apology, turned on my heel and ran.

My disasters with celebrities called Bryan did not stop there.

I was once having a wee next to Manchester United legend Bryan Robson in a bar in the city. I had just a few seconds to summon up every ounce of public school education for a witty conversation.

"All right Bryan?" I bumbled, sounding like a complete moron.

"Yes thanks," he replied, washed his hands and walked out of my life.

I now maintain the best thing to do with Famous People is ignore them. Don't stare or point - it's rude and Famous People hate it.

Don't prod them and say: "It's you, isn't it?" which is far worse. And don't tug at their shirt sleeve and ask: "Didn't you used to be...?"

If you have to say something, politely beg their pardon and, placing a piece of paper and pen in their hand, say: "My wife loves your work and would you be so kind as to autograph this piece of paper?"

As he signs his name with a smile and a flourish, say, in a voice just audible to everyone there: "...but personally, I can't stand you..."