John Waters at Queen Elizabeth Hall

On Friday evening we went to see John Waters speaking at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank. Of course, at this time of year the Southbank also hosts the Christmas market so that was an added bonus. The setting was a reading by Mr Waters followed by an interview with Philip Hoare who immediately annoyed me with his long and rambling introduction about how he first met John years ago (please note that when I go somewhere to hear someone speak it's them I want to hear, not the interviewer - short questions, long answers please).

Once the interview got going it was great fun, with John telling us stories about his past, the people he knew and the situations in which he met some of them, all based loosely round his new book, 'Role Models'. He has a story for every situation and knows the most weird people ever invented, real or imaginary and, in his case, all very real. It must be very strange being John Waters but he has a nice take on fame and recognition, noting that the only people who would possibly recognise him in the street are the people he'd be happy to be recognised by.

After an hour and a half we said goodbye to Mr Waters and left to join the queue for the book signing - Chris had bought the new book so, naturally, wanted it signed. Dawn and Toby were ahead of us in the queue so once they'd had books signed they popped back to gloat (which is rather unattractive). Mind you, it took an hour to get to the front of the queue so any interlude was welcomed. John was happy to sign things, shake hands, have photos taken, the whole fan thing, which was good of him.