Sir Clement Freud

I am immensely saddened by the news that Sir Clement Freud has died.

Something not mentioned in the Telegraph piece today was that he was a director of the Playboy Club in London before it’s demise due to a licensing wrangle many years ago.

I once worked for Playboy, part of the team responsible for opening a number of new venues across the UK in the 1970’s. We had just opened the Portsmouth Club and as a PR exercise had sponsored the Miss Southsea Pagent. I was tasked with organising the event and was the MC for the heats and the final. ‘Clem’ was invited to head the team of judges for the final.

I used to smoke in those days and my favourite ‘weed’ was Gauloise. He, on the other hand, had recently given up smoking and was in that difficult transitional period when he could not abide the smell of cigarette smoke around him.

Nervous as hell I was chain smoking back stage when it came time to brief the the great man for the final round of competitor questions and the crowning of the winner.

I was roundly chastised in that wonderful voice and intonation. I was so annoyed at the time that I forgot my nervousness and did a fairly creditable job as MC as a result.

On a lighter side, I did get to drive his car – one of 6 (I think) race prepared Ford Capri GT’s that never made it to the track but were bought up by enthusiasts, Sir Clement being one of them.

30 years ago and a little bit of my life.

Safe journey Sir ‘Clem’.