Search for
Search for
Search forWe want Wan... fans clamour to meet hero
Friday, November 21, 2008, 09:30
Fashion guru Gok Wan did not disappoint his legions of fans when he returned to his home town for a book signing.
The Leicester-born television presenter was greeted by hundreds of fans when he visited WHSmith at Fosse Park yesterday lunchtime.
The queue that snaked through the store was full of women checking their make-up and outfit hoping to impress Gok.
It proved just how far the 34-year-old had come since a childhood in Beaumont Leys and Fosse Road North, in the city, and studying at Leicester College.
Before the signing, Gok told the Leicester Mercury: "I'm a bit nervous actually, coming home to do this.
"I don't come back as much as I would like. It's good to see so many Leicester girls here and clearly some of them have got quite dressed up.
"My mum's coming along later."
He signed copies of his latest book, How To Dress, for more than 200 women yesterday – dispensing fashion advice and style verdicts.
First in line was Rachael King, from Narborough, who had queued for four hours, since 8.30am, for a chance to meet her style idol.
The 18-year-old said: "He's the nicest man ever, fantastic and gorgeous.
"He seemed more concerned that I was shaking like a leaf than about what I was wearing.
"I queued up since 8.30am. If I'd have missed him, I would never have forgiven myself. I absolutely adore him."
Gok shot to fame with his hit 2006 television series How to Look Good Naked and is currently presenting Miss Naked Beauty on Channel 4 on Tuesday nights.
Fans said they were excited to see him in the flesh, rather than just on their television screens.
Sarah Williams, 21, of Thurmaston, said: "I must admit I did think about what I was going to wear, I've been re-applying my lippy all day.
"I have been waiting here over two hours – it was great to meet him. He's very good at what he does and makes women feel good about themselves."
Zoe Cantell, 20, of Eyres Monsell, Leicester, said: "Gok Wan is a legend. I've come straight from work to meet him, I didn't have time to think about what I was going to wear."
Jackie Barradell, 48, from Loughborough, queued with her daughter Emma, 25. Jackie said: "He was lovely. He said how nice it was to see so many girls from his home town."
Nearly 300 books were sold and signed during the one-and-a-half-hour session.
Sharon Johnson, books supervisor at the store, said: "It's lovely to have him here. We always try to get the big names for book signings, so we would not want to miss out on him. It's been nice to get him back in his home town."
Comment on this story