I made my first visit to the Summer Pops at Aintree last night and picked up some backstage gossip into the bargain.
I was there to see terribly nice Anglophile Canadian Bryan Adams (he may play rock and roll but his rider - dressing room requests made by the artists - apparently included TWO types of cake: marble and lemon)
He put on a good, if not stunning, show with the 'help' of a bubbly but tone deaf Scouser called Kayleigh who was invited on stage to do the Mel C bit from Baby When You're Gone.
Anyway, a group of us were backstage before the gig, which to be fair sounds more glamorous than the reality.
And I got a telling off for going into what was technically "Bryan's bit"
Well, it was a sunny evening and my friend Terri and I, plus Jane who was reviewing for the Post and her guest for the evening, decided to sit outside in a little courtyard area and have a drink.
Everything was fine, and we were convinced we'd just seen Mr Adams walk by, when more friends arrived but weren't allowed to join us in the open air.
"We've only got red passes" they shouted across as the security guard blocked their way.
Apparently you had to have the holy grail of a black pass to be out there - and I was definitely red......as was promptly pointed out in piping tones by someone who will remain nameless.
Obviously seen as some sort of security risk, or possibly just undesirable interlopers, we were promptly escorted back inside in case we offend Bry by getting too close to the artistes' barbecue and giant chess set.
I'm not sure if Amy Winehouse, who had been there 24 hours earlier, indulged in a quick game of chess but I hear she did have a go on a forklift truck - much to the surprise of a girl who was apparently in the portable ladies loos when they started moving!
There was also no sign of sponge cake on Ms Winehouse's wish list which was full of rock 'n' roll style stuff like Marlboro Lights, Jack Daniels, champagne and two bottles of vodka.
But what Amy really wanted, and kept asking if it was possible, was to go into town. Maybe that's why she vanished shortly before she was due on stage, spotted heading in the direction of KFC?
Whatever, she was back to give fans the performance they'd been waiting for so fair play to the girl.
Next year the Pops will be in the Liverpool Echo Arena which, note to Amy, is a lot closer to the shops.
And note to the organisers - that's one black pass please.
