Famous Faces Part 1

It's amazing who we come across in the Archives collections. Here are 8 celebrities interacting with staff or the network...

Letter from Rita Hayworth's Agent (1947-08-16)TfL Corporate Archives

1. Rita Hayworth (actress), 1947

Whilst visiting London, Rita Hayworth used the Underground and admired the posters on display. She got her agent to write to the company asking for copies


Rita Hayworth is one of the multitude of stars name-checked in Madonna's song 'Vogue'

Image of Alec Guiness Filming (1959-04-01)TfL Corporate Archives

2. Alec Guiness (actor), 1959

Alec Guiness leaping onto a London bus whilst filming The Horse's Mouth. It wasn't a stuntman driving the bus, it was a member of staff!


Alec's best known role is probably as Obi-Wan Kenobi in a certain little movie franchise called 'Star Wars'

Children of Bow Garage Staff meet Cliff Richard at the Pantomime (1965-01-31)TfL Corporate Archives

3. Cliff Richard (singer and actor), 1965

Cliff Richard signed autographs backstage for children of Bow Bus Garage staff, who'd been taken to see him in the Pantomime at the London Palladium

Cliff is the only singer to have had a number 1 single in the UK in 5 consecutive decades (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s)

Article regarding Marlene Dietrich Riding the Underground (1973-06-14)TfL Corporate Archives

4. Marlene Dietrich (actress and singer), 1973

Whilst performing her 1-woman show at Wimbledon Theatre, Dietrich dismissed her chauffeur when she decided it was quicker to travel by Tube

Dietrich is another star to have been name-checked in Madonna's single 'Vogue'

Actor Reg Varney at Romford Garage (1981-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives

5. Reg Varney (actor), 1981

Famous for his role in 'On The Buses', Reg Varney returned to the driver's seat to raise money for charity at Romford Bus Garage

Article regarding David Essex Training to Become a Tube Driver (1991-10-24)TfL Corporate Archives

6. David Essex (actor and singer), 1991

Perhaps best known for the Christmas hit 'Only A Winter's Tale, David Essex always wanted to be a tube driver. In 1991, we helped him achieve this dream!

Article regarding Seasick Steve Busking at Earls Court Station (2009-04-01) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives

7. Seasick Steve (musician), 2009

Brit Award nominated American blues musician Seasick Steve pitched up in the busking spot at Earl's Court Station!


As an unknown in the 1970s, Steve busked in the Paris Metro

Article regarding Imelda Staunton Speaking at an Occupational Health Event (2011-04-01) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives

8. Imelda Staunton (actress), 2011

Oscar nominated Imelda Staunton generously gave up her time to talk to staff about her acting career as part of a programme held by the Occupational Health team


Staunton is probably best known for her role as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Credits: Story

Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.

Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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