THE death of Hollywood legend Jane Russell has triggered an incredible ancient memory for Wycombe legend Bill Potts.

Bill, a former Free Press columnist, wrote to tell of a brief encounter many years ago with the superstar when he was a teenage copy boy at the London Evening News.

Young Potts, meanwhile, was chosen to deliver an envelope containing some photographs of her.

He recalls waving the envelope of pictures at a man behind the reception desk.

The Savoy man reached across to take them, but it was too good an opportunity for Bill to miss.

“I withdrew my hand. ‘I was told to deliver them, personally,’ I lied, adding ‘She’s expecting them’.

“The man hesitated. In my suit and tie and horn-rimmed glasses I looked pretty harmless and respectable.”

The desk clerk reached for the phone, asked to be put through to a number and spoke briefly, before smiling at Bill and saying: “Miss Russell will see you.”

He signalled to a bellboy and said: “Show this gentleman to Miss Russell’s suite. And then bring him back.”

Bill recalls: “We took the lift, and I soon found myself outside the dark wood door. I knocked. And there she was – looking magnificent in tight black trousers and a crisp white shirt embracing, to this goggle-eyed teenager, that impressive frontage.

“I think she smiled; my eyes were elsewhere. I stammered ‘These are from the News’.”

Jane Russell took the envelope and, asking Bill to wait, disappeared back inside. She returned a couple of minutes later, smiled and said: "Would you tell them I love the photographs. And your name is...?"

“Er...Bill. Bill Potts, Miss Russell!” replied our man who could feel the heat reddening his face and neck.

“Well thank you, Bill. And this is for you,” said Miss Russell.

She handed Bill two crisp one pound notes. And with a ‘take care’ she was gone.

Bill recalled that wonderful moment last week after hearing she passed away aged 89.

He said: “On the walk back, I was over the moon. With a bit of cheek and nerve I’d not only met Jane Russell, something to make my mates envious, but she’d given me two pounds – which almost doubled my weekly wage.”

• As I said above, Jane Russell starred with Marilyn Monroe. I’ll give a Backchat prize to the first reader who can give me the name of the Wycombe legend who also starred in a movie with Marilyn.

Ring me on 01494 755091 or Email me at scohen@ london.newsquest.co.uk