Ralph Fiennes recalls moment he met Jeremy Irons while working as a hotel cleaner

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Emma Powell14 January 2016

Ralph Fiennes has recalled the moment Jeremy Irons commented on his cleaning skills.

Fiennes, 53 - who worked as a hotel cleaner before finding fame as an actor - came face-to-face with Irons while polishing a chandelier.

Recalling the encounter on the Graham Norton Show, he told the host: “I was working at Browns Hotel before going to drama school and I was cleaning a chandelier when a guest asked me what I was using to do the job.

“I realised it was Jeremy Irons who I really admire and I said something about industrial cleaner and then asked him for his autograph. He said he would leave it at the front desk.”

He continued: “When I went to pick it up, he had left a note saying, ‘Dear Ralph, keep polishing.’ I have met him but I haven’t told him that I still have the note somewhere.”

This week’s episode also sees James Nesbitt talk about receiving an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List and comedian Tracey Ullman discusses her new sketch show following her 30 year hiatus from British screens.

Speaking about the show, she said: “I do Judi Dench and I think she will kill me when she sees it! And I had a lovely time being Camilla (Duchess of Cornwall). It’s very affectionate.”

The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One tonight at 10:35pm.

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