I was feeling weighed down with my own thoughts as I stepped onto the train at Ely station last Friday.

Suddenly my ears pricked up as I heard my two travelling companions discuss a swathe of celebrities they were considering to participate in a major event they were planning. I was intrigued!

Judi Dench? Julie Walters? Ann Widdicombe? Suddenly, one of the men turned to me and asked, “Who are the iconic women of today?”

My instant reply was Joanna Lumley, and they both nodded in agreement. Later we added the name Barbara Windsor. They thought she might be good too for attracting the crowds.

Intrigued to know their identities, I discovered I was in the company of two very interesting men – their family and friends were sitting nearby too – and it made for a jolly journey into the city where I was en route for the Olympics. And I certainly arrived at King’s Cross feeling much perkier than when I first sat on the train.

Who were they? They are both professional and distinguished entertainers – wasn’t I lucky to end up sitting next to them!

 James Mcconnel (pictured at the top)is part of a cabaret duo with the famed Kit Hesketh-Harvey. He was hilarious from start to finis, and has chalked up numerous accomplishments to his name. He told me they will be performing at Chequers in October, and their audience is in for a riot.

And Delaval Astley, (pic below) is the 23rd Baron Hastings and famed for his role as the villain Cameron Fraser in The Archers when he attempted to rape Shula Archer, as well as other heinous crimes.He is also  Director of Holt Festival in Norfolk. He did not follow his father Edward into politics, who was a prominent member of the Conservative government in the 1960s and a patron of the arts.  I astonished and delighted to be graced with such warm, witty and celebrated companions.

And James, if you ever get to read this, I made a mistake when I said my husband was an extra in Elizabeth, the Golden Age; the film in which he appeared with Scarlett Johansson was “The Other Boleyn Girl” and spoke his wonderful line, “It must be done by legal means,” in reference to the divorce of Henry V111 from  his first wife.

My husband wanted you to know, which is why I wrote this post.