My Top Ten Dinner Party Guests

Following on from my top ten books and films comes the next wonderful list! You’ve probably done this before. If you could invite anyone famous, dead or alive, who would be your top ten dinner party guests?

My list has changed as I’ve aged. People fall in and out of fashion, but some stay the course and appear on any list I make. My reasons for choosing people have also changed. Where once I might have looked to be entertained, I now wish to delve deeply and discover what makes them tick. So, in no particular order, here is my ultimate party list.

1. Louise Cooper

My all-time favourite author who sadly died of a brain haemorrhage in 2009 after writing more than eighty novels. I’d love to chat with her about her inspiration and writing schedule, advice about how to be as prolific in my work, and the ideas she had that never made it on to paper.

Louise can paint a clear picture with her words, something I struggle with. Her descriptions are wonderful. I would have loved to have the opportunity to sit at her feet and learn from her in person.

2. Spike Milligan

As a child, I loved his silly poems. I started reading his war memoirs as a teenager and watched his Q series clutching my stomach with laughter. Only later did I realise how tormented he was. Suffering from shell-shock, depression, and nervous breakdowns, I read his later books with a mixture of laughter and tears. He once said, “One thing in the world I wanted was a long-lasting friendship.” I would love to have been that friend.

Spike was also an animal lover and campaigned against cruelty to animals, so we would have common ground there too. The nearest I got to seeing him was when I visited his grave in Winchelsea. The inscription in Gaelic says, “I told you I was ill.”

3. Keanu Reeves

Many of his films are on my DVD shelf. My favourites include The Lake House, Speed, The Matrix quadrilogy and the John Wick series. But it is the man himself who interests me. I have heard so many stories of his humility, kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness, that I would love to spend time chatting with him. He has a reputation as being the nicest guy in Hollywood despite suffering many personal tragedies in his life which would leave many of us feeling bitter and hopeless. Keanu, you are always welcome at my table.

4. David Bowie

David is a guest who has come and gone on my list over time, usually in competition with Freddie Mercury, but he has finally won me over to reserve himself a permanent place. I would want to know more about his fascinating alter-ego’s and how he recreated himself over and over again. He was a musical genius, and for someone like me who hasn’t a musical bone in her body, it would be fascinating to listen to his creative processes and influences.

5. Patrick Stewart

Yes, I am a Trekkie, so having Captain Picard at my table would be pretty awesome. But Patrick is much more than that, having wowed people on stage and screen for decades. He has the kind of voice I could listen to all day. I would love to hear his stories of his time treading the boards and, I’m pretty sure, he would have us all in stitches.

And it would be the icing on the cake when I offered him hot earl grey tea if he would say “Make it so.”

Sorry, Anthony Hopkins – he pipped you to the post.

6. Elizabeth II

Can you imagine sitting down to dinner with the late queen? What an amazing life she had during her record-breaking reign. I would love to have known her in a more informal setting where she could be truly herself. Latterly, we were privileged to see her awesome sense of humour in skits with Damiel Craig and Paddington bear, as well as her absolute dedication to her job and an example of authentic leadership. She was also a committed Christian, and I would be encouraged to hear how her faith informed her life as head of the monarchy.

7. Marilyn Monroe

Yes, she was an iconic beauty, but she was so much more besides. She was a very generous woman who was also an advocate for civil rights. She set up her own production company and controlled her own image through the use of photography. She was an avid reader and wrote poetry. Her husband, author Arthur Miller, commented how well she fitted in with his intellectual friends.

It would be fascinating to chat with her to find the real stories behind the headlines, and maybe get some advice on image and brand, too!

8. Bear Grylls

I love to watch people who are shoved right out of their comfort zone, especially when it comes to survival. I often wonder how I would fare in a similar situation. (But not enough to go on a TV show to find out!) There is something sobering about losing all the devices and machines that make our lives so much easier. After recently being without heating and hot water for a few hours, I am very grateful for all the blessings I have, from my washing machine to my electric recliner.I’m sure Bear would bring a wealth of stories to the table about his experiences in the SAS and how he fell in love with surviving off the land. I would also love to know more about the famous people he’s met while filming.

9. Jesus

It may surprise you to know there are a few stories about Jesus as a dinner guest in the Bible. Firstly, he was accused of dining with tax collectors and prostitutes, the lowest of the low. I love that he made time for those who were normally ignored or shunned. He was also invited to the tables of the rich and prominent, where he often spoke candidly about their attitudes and priorities. After one meal in his presence, Zacchaeus was a changed man. During his final meal before he died, he washed the feet of the other guests, a service normally performed by a servant. He was outspoken and rocked the religious and the righteous by challenging their values and promoting a different way of living.

Jesus is welcome at every table I sit at.

10. Clare Balding

I am not a sports fan generally, but there are a few things I like to watch. Wimbledon and top level athletics are two that will have me glued to my TV. Clare is an entertaining and informative commentator whose wealth of knowledge is astounding. She is genuinely interested in other’s opinions and people seem relaxed and open in her company. I think she’d make a really interesting dinner guest.

So, there you have it. Ten wonderful dinner companions. And if you must know, the food would be cooked by Marcus Waring, and entertainment provided by Simple Minds and Linkin Park.

So, who would make your list, and why?