Judi and I share a Mince Pie Moment

Take note, boys and girls: if you're hanging around somebody famous, trying to get up the courage to approach them, do not accept food from waitpersons. Especially not crumbly mince pies. Or you will find yourself suddenly being introduced, with a mouthful of food, and this is embarrassing and a hindrance to conversational grace.

Equally, if you are in fact somebody famous, being the on-duty sleb for a charidee bash, be restrained on the mince pie front in case of a sudden tap on the shoulder.

This is how I found myself holding the birdlike hand of Dame Judi, while we both held our other hands to mouths, trying to convey with expressive rolling of the eyes and crumb-laden smiles: "Yes, wonderful, honoured/charmed to meet you, so sorry about this embarrassing mince pie that is preventing me saying the scintillating things that would otherwise be tripping off my tongue even now, really, you're missing out on the night's most wonderful conversation..."