George Clooney is heading to Edinburgh to back sandwich charity for the homeless Social Bite

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MOVIE megastar Clooney is heading to Edinburgh to back sandwich charity for the homeless Social Bite - and you can win the chance to dine with him right here.

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Actor George Clooney speaks on stage at the Live 8 in Edinburgh in 2005 - his last visit to Scotland
OSCAR winning actor George Clooney is coming to Scotland to visit a social enterprise sandwich shop - and one lucky punter will have the chance to dine with him.
The Daily Record can exclusively announce that George, who was last here in 2005 for Live 8, will be coming to Edinburgh’s Social Bite sandwich shop on November 12 after being invited over by owners Josh Littlejohn and Alice Thompson to witness the charitable work the shop provides to Scotland’s homeless.
Social Bite was founded in 2012 to employ local homeless people and donates all profits to solving social problems at home and abroad.
Stirling born Josh, 28 who also founded the Scottish Business Awards, approached the Oceans Eleven star two months ago after recognising George’s humanitarian work.
He explained: “It’s a fantastic honour to be bringing one of the world’s most famous men to Scotland and it is amazing that he is supporting Social Bite.
He may even join the team and lend a helping hand behind the counter. For many of our team who until recently lived on the streets, this is a really amazing thing to look forward to.
He added: “I know that George is very committed to his humanitarian work and charity work in countries like Dafur, Burma and Zimbabwee. He is such a big Hollywood star and I thought it would be great for him to see what we are doing here in Scotland to help turn around the lives of homeless people. I called up his charity partner John Prendergast and George was open to it. He liked the idea of Social Bite and while he is here he’ll also talk with people like Sir Tom Hunter about his charity Not On Our Watch which he co-founded with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.”



Josh added: “George only does two events of this kind a year with a view to raise awareness of his charitable work and it is great that he has chosen us. The end goal is always for us to help Social Bite prosper. As soon as I heard he’d said yes I sat in my house and watched the Oceans Eleven trilogy. I thought ‘This is seriously cool. I’m not sure if his wife Amal will be coming but she also has an open invite.
"I’ve brought Bill Clinton and Richard Branson over to Scotland through the Scottish Business Awards before and Clinton mania swept Edinburgh - Bill even went for a round of golf in St Andrews.”
Josh currently has four Social bite sandwich shops - two in Glasgow and two in Edinburgh with further ones in Aberdeen and Dundee opening up this year.


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Josh and Alice, founders of Social Bite, serving the homeless last Christmas

George will visit one of the Edinburgh shops before attending a special meal for just ten people, and then speak at the Scottish Business Awards in front of 2000 people at the capital’s EICC later that night. That event which costs from £2000 for a table of ten will be chaired by Sir Tom Hunter and is sponsored by the RBS.
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN DINNER WITH GEORGE CLOONEY
Josh is giving one lucky Scots punter the chance to dine with George at the intimate meal for just ten people through social networking site Itison. The prize also includes a luxury overnight stay for two at 5* Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, a spa treatment each at the Guerlain Spa plus chauffeur driven transport. A runner up will also win a meet and greet with George and tickets to his keynote speech at the Scottish Business Awards.
He said: “George will be at one of our social enterprise sandwich shops in Edinburgh and will meet the staff from homeless backgrounds and sample the food. We might even name a sandwich after him. One member of the public will have the chance to dine with George and nine others in an intimate setting during his trip. We are asking people to donate £5 through Itison which will cover the cost of a hot drink to a homeless person, with all remaining proceeds shared between Social Bite and Clooney’s charity Not on Our Watch.”
Itison owner Olly Norman said: “I first met Josh when our company won at the Scottish Business Awards and in December we asked our 720,000 members throughout Scotland to donate £5 to buy a meal for a homeless person and ended up donating £181,000 to Social Bite after 36,269 itison members, including the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Sir Chris Hoy, took part. This time round Social Bite have gone one step further by bringing Clooney over and we are offering people the chance to win a place at the ultimate dinner party.
John Prendergast, Not On Our Watch board member and former White House Official, said: “Not On Our Watch and our board member George Clooney hope to raise further awareness about the important impact charitable donations can have in making a difference in the world.”
Ken Barclay, Chairman, Scotland at RBS said “The Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to be working again with entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn to support the Scottish Business Awards.”

I think Hebe should enter for a chance to win. 

Donnamarie wrote:I think Hebe should enter for a chance to win. 

Yes I was going to say any Scottish fans should have a go, 
but the phone rang.

Can anyone who does "Have a Go" let us know so that 
we can all send positive vibes out ?  OK. 

 It would be worth having a go, it's all for a good cause. I hadn't heard of Social Bite and I live between Aberdeen and Dundee and am in Aberdeen regularly. I must find out more about it. When I was a student in Edinburgh (a long time ago) I used to go and help serving soup and bread to homeless people in a shelter and have a chat with them.

It would be great just to have a glimpse of George in the flesh. 

November 12...that is a long wait. I like it when we get his schedule in advance hehe

George will need his lovely overcoat and scarf 
in Scotland in November I think.

An umbrella too. He won't want his coat spoiled by a downpour.

A keynote speech too

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Hollywood star George Clooney lined up to speak at Scottish Business Awards

HOLLYWOOD star George Clooney has been unveiled at the keynote speaker at this year's Scottish Business Awards.
The award-winning actor will address around 2,000 people from the Scottish business community at Edinburgh's EICC on 12 November,

The event, which is supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland, has earned a reputation for bringing some of the world's most famous names to Scotland with Sir Richard Branson and former US President Bill Clinton among recent speakers.
Sir Tom Hunter, chairman of the Scottish Business Awards judging panel, said: "The Scottish Business Awards are the ultimate celebration of Scotland's entrepreneurial talent bringing together the brightest and the best of our businesses.
"The great news this year is we've squared the circle with a large portion of funds raised going straight back to supporting the next generation of high growth businesses with a donation to scotedge.com as well as a fantastic social business, Social Bite and Not On Our Watch.
"George Clooney should be fascinating and insightful on the business of Hollywood and of course his philanthropic endeavours."
Clooney's appearance will help raise funds for Not On Our Watch, the charity he founded with Hollywood friends Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, as well as two Scottish causes - Scotedge which supports high growth start-ups and Social Bite, the social enterprise chain of sandwich shops founded by event organiser, Josh Littlejohn.
Mr Littlejohn said: "This event is already a major fixture of the Scottish business calendar but George Clooney's address will take its profile through the roof, which is especially pleasing as 100% of profits from the event will go to charity.
"As well as celebrating Scottish business success, it's about demonstrating the power we as a business community have to affect impactful social change and we are grateful to the Royal Bank of Scotland for supporting the event."
Ken Barclay, Chairman, Scotland at RBS said: "The Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to be working again with entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn to support the Scottish Business Awards.
"This is the third time RBS has supported the awards and we congratulate Josh for once again securing such a high profile speaker. It is absolutely incredible that year after year Josh is able to persuade some of the world's best known faces to shine a light on the very best of Scottish business."
John Prendergast, former White House Official and Not On Our Watch board member, added: "Not On Our Watch and our board member George Clooney are honoured to be partnered with the Scottish Business Awards for this prestigious event.
"We hope to raise further awareness about the important impact charitable donations can have in making a difference in the world."

Well Done George 

Hope it will raise shed loads of money.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is raising lots of money for the respective charities. There have been articles in the main Scottish newspapers and regional ones as well. There was also a segment about it on the One Show this evening.

I've given a donation to the site where you have a chance to have dinner with George, so I'm crossing my fingers and toes.

Good luck Hebe! Hope you win and can come back and tell us all about it.

Very Very Good Luck Hebe 

Thanks Lizzy and Joanna.

The Clooney Effect

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Clooney factor leads to record year for Scottish Business Awards

The charity-run Scottish Business Awards is gearing up for a record breaking year thanks in large to its link with one of Hollywood’s most famous men, according to event organisers.
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George Osbourne

The UK’s largest business awards ceremony, which is backed by RBS, is set to attract 2,000 attendees and a record number of applications.
Josh Littlejohn, the social entrepreneur who founded the Scottish Business Awards, said part of the unprecedented interest is down to the “George Clooney factor”, with the Hollywood icon and humanitarian booked to deliver a keynote address at the event in the EICC on 12 November.
He said: “The fact that Britain’s biggest business awards ceremony will take place here and not London speaks volumes for the strength of the Scottish business community, but we should acknowledge the part Mr Clooney has played in further raising the profile of the event.
“We’re receiving  more award entries than we had this time last year and the standard is exceptionally high. We have less than one month to go before closing the application process and judging begins so we’re pretty sure these will be the most contested and therefore highly regarded business awards the country has ever seen.”

In addition to a record number of tickets sold and entries received, the Scottish Business Awards is set to become one of Scotland’s largest fundraising dinners with tables topping the £10,000 mark on the back of George Clooney’s involvement.
The organisers have announced that a limited number of ‘platinum’ tables will be available for a minimum £10,000 charity donation where the host will be sitting a mere bread roll’s throw away from Mr Clooney and will be entitled to attend a private lunch with him earlier in the day.
Josh Littlejohn added: “This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with one of Hollywood’s most famous actors and humanitarians, plus get round the table with some truly inspirational business leaders.
“Importantly, in buying this package you will be making a substantial contribution to some very worthwhile causes in the form of Social Bite, Scottish Edge and Not on Our Watch.”
The Scottish Business Awards has attracted President Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson and Bob Geldof to its stage in recent years and last year raised over £1m for causes home and abroad.

Wish I could be sitting a mere bread roll throw away from Mr. Clooney. Oh well.

I'm thrilled the event is getting such "record breaking" ticket sales. The Clooney Effect indeed!

Sounds like a nice event .

Good luck Hebe!!

Thanks Lorna, I'm planning a visit to Edinburgh for a few days so I hope to get a wee glimpse at least while George is there. I really like Edinburgh and find there's lots to do and see there.

Good for you .

Ayrshire Family Butcher Shortlisted For Prestigious Award Presented By George Clooney

Sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, 2015’s event will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 12th November.

MP is dropped from Scottish Business Awards in Edinburgh where Hollywood star George Clooney is main Speaker

SHE is the controversial MP whose curious property deals have provided the SNP with a never-ending run of bad headlines.
But Michelle Thomson’s knack for attracting the wrong sort of publicity has seen one of the world’s most famous actors being dragged into the slipstream of the row.
Thomson had been ready to appear at the glitzy Scottish Business Awards this month – at which George Clooney is the A-list speaker – but she has now been uninvited over fears her attendance would tarnish the event.

One SNP source joked: “Not even Clooney in ER could resuscitate Michelle Thomson’s political career.”
Thomson was elected as the MP for Edinburgh West in May and installed as the party’s Westminster business spokeswoman.
However, she was soon caught up in a scandal over her involvement in a series of "back-to-back" property deals involving multiple sales of the same home being pushed through on one day.
The solicitor used for many of the deals, Chris Hales, was struck off for the role he played in the transactions.
Thomson was forced to withdraw from the SNP whip and sit as an independent MP while police investigate the sales.

It has now emerged that the row is causing ripples outside the world of Scottish politics.
The Scottish Business Awards, supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, is the annual ceremony for recognising the achievements of the country’s entrepreneurs and companies.
Clooney, known throughout the world for his roles in Ocean’s Eleven, The Ides Of March, Syriana and The Descendants, is the star turn at this month’s event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The Oscar winner will speak at 7pm, but attendees willing to pay £10,000 for a “platinum package” will get special access to him.
This includes one place at a private lunch with the Hollywood legend, attendance on a VIP photoline and “optimum viewing” for his speech.
Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy and comedian Rob Brydon are also listed as special guests.
In the past, the ceremony has attracted Sir Bob Geldof, former US President Bill Clinton and Sir Richard Branson as keynote speakers.

Edinburgh Airport, whose chief executive Gordon Dewar is shortlisted for CEO of the year, had invited Thomson to its table for the glitzy bash.
It is understood she had been picked due to her role as SNP business spokeswoman, but Thomson’s constituency also includes the airport.
However, the Thomson allegations put the airport in an awkward position and, not wanting the MP’s presence to cause embarrassment or overshadow the event, the company discreetly rescinded the invitation.
A source close to the MP said: “Michelle was puzzled by the Edinburgh Airport decision to withdraw the invitation made several weeks ago, given that she is of course MP for Edinburgh West within which the airport lies and has a good relationship with CEO Gordon Dewar. She wishes the event every success.”
The source added that the SNP Government would be represented at the dinner and would not want Thomson there.
Edinburgh Airport has good links to the SNP and the Government. Former Scottish Government permanent secretary John Elvidge is the chair, while Erik Geddes, a one-time press officer for the Nationalists, has recently taken up a communications post at the organisation.
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "This is an evening to celebrate the very best of Scottish business and with an A-list movie star guest list, it's probably best that Michelle Thomson doesn't grace it with her presence."
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: "Representatives from Edinburgh Airport recently spoke with Michelle Thomson and explained that it was now unavoidable but to rescind the invite in light of the situation she presently finds herself in."

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And the WINNER is :

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George Clooney's Edinburgh lunch date 'delighted'

• 31 minutes ago
   
  
• From the sectionEdinburgh, Fife & East Scotland
  

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Image copyrightGetty/Heather McGowan
A wedding planner is "absolutely delighted" after winning a charity competition to have lunch with George Clooney when he visits Edinburgh.
Heather McGowan, 32, will join the A-list star at an event being held at a secret location on Thursday.
Clooney is visiting the city after accepting an invitation from the owner of a sandwich shop.
Social Bite helps the homeless by allowing customers to pay for food and drink on their behalf.
It operates a "suspended" coffee and food programme where customers can pay for a hot drink or food for a homeless person.
Josh Littlejohn is the co-founder of the social venture and approached Clooney earlier this year about visiting the not-for-profit chain.

'Still in shock'

The actor-director agreed and he is expected to meet employees at the Edinburgh shop on 12 November and deliver the keynote address at the Scottish Business Awards, also founded by the entrepreneur.
Ms McGowan, who runs a wedding events company in Glasgow, said she was shocked to discover she had won the competition organised by deals and events site itison to raise funds for Social Bite and the humanitarian charity Not On Our Watch, which was co-founded by Clooney,
"I'm a big George Clooney fan and love the Oceans films so I'm absolutely delighted, and still a bit in shock, to have won itison's competition," she said.
"I'm looking forward to hearing about his involvement in Social Bite and the work of his charity, Not On Our Watch. And being in the wedding business, I'm also really interested to find out how involved he was in planning his wedding to Amal."
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Image copyrightJohn LittlejohnImage captionSocial Bite owner Josh Littlejohn (L) with his team
Last month, Social Bite launched what is thought to be the first "selfless" loyalty card which lets customers help feed the homeless. It works by saving up loyalty points to buy a homeless person a free meal and hot drink after 10 visits to the cafe.
It previously gave out more traditional loyalty cards where after five visits customers would get a free coffee and after 10 a half-price lunch, but the company decided to reinvent the system when regulars started to refuse their rewards and ask for the food and drink to be donated to the homeless.
Social Bite gives 100% of profits to charities and currently has cafes in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. A quarter of its workforce at its five shops is formerly homeless.
Mr Littlejohn said: "It's incredibly exciting to be bringing one of the world's biggest stars to Edinburgh and the team at Social Bite is buzzing ahead of his visit.
"For many of our team who until recently lived on the streets, this is a really amazing thing to look forward to."

This is fun, but I'm not sure he'll see it. It's in Glasgow!

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Where are you, Hebe?


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Love it............

.....and he's brought John Prendergast with him........

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Whoopee! I'm a happy bunny!

I saw George not just once but twice!

At the Social Bite in Rose St he arrived and called 'Hi guys' to the crowd and was friendly to everybody. He looked great, and very handsome in the flesh. It was nice to see John Prendergast there with him. He was in the cafe for about 20 minutes. When he came out people were asking him what he had to eat and he said he hadn't had any food yet. One guy shouted 'George, George, we love you' and every body laughed. He came along to get in the car but carried on past to speak to people he came close to where I was standing and shook my hand!!!!
I haven't washed it yet! Hee hee!I was thrilled! After he got in the car he wound down the tinted window (right in front of me) and shouted goodbye. He was great and every body was so excited about seeing him. Some reporters and camera crew spoke to some of the crowd who were saying nice things about him (of course).  

I thought that was it and was really pleased to have seen him and thought I'd come back here to my hotel. When I reached George St I saw a small gathering of people in front of The People's Postcode Lottery Building and the red carpet was out so I asked someone what was happening. I was told that George was in the building and some of the staff said that the People's Lottery charity were going to be involved with giving towards Not On Our Watch, which I think is great. He was inside for about half an hour, I think. When he came out he was again friendly, greeting the crowd which had increased quite a bit while he was inside. Workers from nearby offices had come out to see him and said they hadn't left anybody to answer the phones but they thought that seeing George was more important, which of course it is!

So, I've had a great morning and am very happy!

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pictures of George

Good for you Hebe sounds wonderful.

Congratulations, Hebe! I am sooooooooooooo jealous! You saw him twice and he shook your hand!? WOW! Now that's what I'd call a great day!

Thanks so much for telling us all about it. You're a better reporter than most of the "professionals".

Brilliant, Hebe!! So thrilled for you. What a trip! Fantastic reporting.


..........and here is the Daily Mail on it!!??

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So happy for you Hebe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Oh man, I need to see him again soon !!! 

Thanks. It really was great to see him and I never expected him to shake my hand. That was a great bonus.

Fortunately, I don't think I'm in any of those photos! I took some photos with a conventional camera and think some of those should be good. I tried with my phone but they were a bit unclear. Perhaps my hands were shaking too much!

I'm going off to have some lunch now. I'll go back to Social Bite and maybe hear what the staff are saying about George's visit. I was there earlier in the week and enjoyed a sandwich and a coffee.

Are you anywhere near Tiger Lily Hebe? 

Looks very nice and there's a guy having lunch there you might know...........

Yay Hebe.    

I'm so happy for you!  What an amazing experience.  I'm jealous!  But thrilled for you.  Thanks for sharing your incredible day with us.

I have to admit the Daily Mail got great pictures today. And nice print coverage of the event.  Liked the exchange between the the young nurse, her mum and George!

If George Clooney tells you to smile a little bit, you don´t stop smiling !!!  LOL

Lunch............

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Doesn't George look handsome.  Love the turtleneck and jacket.  He's looks very dapper.  Maybe he used his Dapper Dan today.

Wow,
so many pictures and videos - and Hebe, you are just the luckiest person in the world. It really must have been amazing!

Donnamarie wrote:Doesn't George look handsome.  Love the turtleneck and jacket.  He's looks very dapper.  Maybe he used his Dapper Dan today.

LOL
Yes, 'cause he's a Dapper Dan man, as we all know!

But he really looked nice! Turtleneck is something that not everybody can wear and look good in it but George surely does. Well, is there anything he doesn't look good in?

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**If it is Tigerlily where the lunch took place as stated below i have been there, expensive but amazing so if you are ever in Edinburgh book a table, you wont be disappointed**

How to star in a picture with George Clooney
By Angie BrownBBC Scotland, Edinburgh and East reporter

• nEdinburgh, Fife & East Scotland
  

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Image copyrightReutersImage captionGeorge Clooney's visit to Edinburgh showed the attention paid to those on the Hollywood A list
So what do you do when your editor hears one of the biggest A-list celebrities in the world is going to be in town and he asks you to go find him?
George Clooney is a Hollywood superstar so this was going to be no easy feat.
A browse on social media and a few phone calls to those in the know in Edinburgh and I heard he was due to visit the homeless charity cafe, Social Bite, on Rose Street.
The fact I had written a story about the visit for the BBC Scotland news website helped too.
Would he come? Would he arrive through the front door or a secret back entrance?
I had nothing else to go on but hope so I began my quest to seek out Mr C earlier today.

Barriers

I arrived to find barriers erected around the cafe entrance, could this be a clue that the rumours were indeed true?
Would one of the world's most famous actors really be coming?
Mum, Sandi Pringle, 57, and her daughter, Kirsten Pringle, 22, from Edinburgh, had been camped out since 07:00, so I joined them alongside a growing number of journalists, photographers and cameramen.
Over the course of the next 90 minutes security guards arrived, more onlookers, and people started hanging out of their windows in the narrow tenemented-street.
This was looking quite promising now, especially when I observed the security guards listening to their ear pieces and saying "He's landed".
Squeal.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage captionCrowds followed the actor everywhere he went in Edinburgh
People were starting to look nervous that they weren't in the perfect spot to get near "him" and they started shuffling towards what was thought to be the best vantage point.
The security then said my section was to move back two feet to allow his car in and the fear of missing him was palpable.
Then his red jaguar appeared around the corner and stopped just feet away from the entrance.
He got out and immediately began greeting the now three deep crowd lining the street.
There was no mistaking him as I craned to catch a glimpse, his tan glowing against a sea of Scottish winter white faces.

'Smaller and thinner'

There was a surge from the crowd as he got closer up the line of people.
And then there he was: smaller and thinner than I had thought he was going to be.
Everyone agreed though that he was just as good looking in the flesh, and oh what a deep tan.
The 54-year-old had weathered well all the ladies agreed.
He was then greeted by the cafe owner, Josh Littlejohn, before being whisked inside.
My sources tell me he tucked into a platter of different sandwiches including chicken and bacon and smoked salmon.
He then left $1,000 for homeless people to enjoy lunch on him before spending 15 minutes meeting and greeting the staff, many of whom have been homeless themselves.
Then he was back out into the street where I cheekily asked him for a selfie, not thinking he would.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Image caption"Sure I will" - and with that I got my man
"Sure, I will," he drawled.
I managed to take about 20 to make sure I had the best angle, of course, then he was off.
A quick chat with my sources and I found out he was going for lunch to Tigerlily, so I headed off along George Street, to find him again.
This was when I "bumped" into him leaving the Postcode Lottery offices and I took a few more snaps as he shouted "hey guys".
It was here I saw him autograph a birthday card for an onlooker for his mother who was celebrating her 60th birthday.
Then he was gone, disappeared as fast as he had bloomed from the pavement in front of me.
This quest to find A-list celebs was rather easy, I chuckled.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage captionA lot of other people were getting into the selfie action

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And tge day's not over yet, we'll hopefully get a report from his lunch with the woman who had won it as well as reports ynd pictures from tonight's event.
WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!

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the grin is amazing!

Video --> http://news.sky.com/story/1586104/screams-in-scotland-as-clooney-has-a-sarnie

I am a fan of the woman at the minute 0:47 to 0:53 saying: Hi George!!!!! Hi , hi , hi , hi , hiiiiiiiiiii and then :

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LMAO, I am just remembering when I met him LOL. OMG, wait, I think I didin´t tell it you how it was    

When I have a moment, I will do it. I have been so busy.... and I am still but I have to share it with you !!

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twitter link for The Edinburgh International Conference Centre where George will be tonight

Great ! I can´t wait for the videos of that