I have always been hip to the beat and used to know the number ones of the hit parade in the 1960s. I still have a collection of 45rpm discs and even some 78rpm records which I stacked on my radiogram and did the twist, the mashed potato and other rebel dances at home. I was too ill to take my 11-plus exam so was sent to a Secondary Modern School where we had formal dance lessons. I am still the master of the waltz but usually resort to something resembling a man receiving an electric shock .

Over the decades I have met many pop stars, starting with The Beatles at the ATV Studios in Borehamwood in 1963 when they were guesting on The Morecambe And Wise Show. I met Paul again at Elstree Studios 20 years later but have told that story. Paul kindly signed a photo for me when we last met in about 1988 when he was rehearsing for his world tour on the massive Star Wars stage just before it was demolished. For several years Paul hired the old stage five for rehearsals with his group Wings. It was used as the depot in the On The Buses films and for The Avengers television series. Alas, they were all demolished to make way for Tesco.

I have told you before about my meeting with Cliff Richard and why I ignored Michael Jackson on his visit to Elstree Studios. I am not sure I have told you about a couple of errors I made. I was introduced to a band called Garbage but thought they were called Cabbage or vice versa. Then I bumped into East Seven or something similar at the Studio and when they asked directions I assumed they were helping clear the underground car park when they were actually rehearsing on a sound stage.

Read more: The day John, Paul, George, Ringo, Bert and I met Paul McCartney

Adam Faith was a pleasure to meet at one of my studio events at BBC Elstree Centre. I was surprised how nervous he was when I asked him to ad lib a few words before the audience. He recalled when he was working at that studio's post production department in the 1950s and was reluctant to resign when he had his first number one in case he proved a one hit wonder. He was a lovely chap,

Back in the early 1990s the Town Mayor asked if I could arrange for his young daughter to meet Take That. In those days Top Of The Pops was shot at the BBC Elstree Centre and they were going to appear on it. I was able to arrange for her to attend the dress rehearsal with the Mayor. At one point I was standing alone and this young man stood next to me while Wet Wet Wet were rehearsing their number one. He asked why I was there and I explained I was waiting to see something called Take That but knew very little about them. He replied they were rubbish and can't dance, which I thought was a bit harsh for a BBC employee, albeit I knew my mate who was the facilities manager had told off the boys for kicking a football around in a corridor.

A little later the tannoy said 'Take That on stage please for a rehearsal'. The lads walked past me and one winked and it turned out to be Robbie Williams, who must have thought I was so square. I drove out of the studio past waiting girl fans in my old Mini and wound down the window to listen for 'who is that star?'. Instead all I heard was someone comment 'is that Mr Bean?' They had obviously never seen my birdie dance!

  • Paul Welsh MBE is a Borehamwood writer and historian of Elstree Studios