Why the stars came out to meet Wharfedale's Clive and his tourists

But when movie buff Clive Roberts watched his favourite Hollywood films night after night at his local cinema, little did he know he would one day be mixing with some of the greatest stars of Tinseltown.

For Clive, 74, has mingled with legends of the screen such as Doris Day, Bob Hope, Clint Eastwood, Debbi Reynolds, and Faye Dunaway.

He has received gifts from Frank Sinatra and swapped telephone numbers with the Riddler of the 1960s television Batman series, Frank Gorshin.

His face became so familiar in Hollywood circles that he was often invited to stand next to stars as they stolled along the Walk of Fame, and even won the once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the world - the Oscars.

Clive's connection with Hollywood began back in 1978 after his wife Shirley persuaded him to organise a tour of Tinseltown.

Having worked backstage in theatre in both Halifax and London, he had already met many British celebrities, including Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Vaughan, Max Bygraves and Tommy Cooper.

Still fascinated by the world of film he joined the Frank Sinatra Fan Club and it was there that he saw a letter from a fellow fan asking why there were no tours of Hollywood organised by British travel agents.

He showed the letter to his wife who insisted that he was the just the man to establish the tour.

Clive, who was working as a proof-reader at the time for his local paper in Eastbourne, Sussex, was hesitant. But within days his wife had drawn up a plan of how the tour would unfold.

The plan was to take 30 people on a tour of Hollywood and Las Vegas. But the idea was so popular, they ended up with 101 movie fans desperate to take part in the event.

Clive said: "It was incredible when I think back - and it all happened by accident really. Shirley knew how obsessed I was with Hollywood stars and films. I knew everything about films because I'd been crazy about them all my life and she kept telling me I was just the person to organise the tour.

"I approached my local travel agent and got in touch with the Frank Sinatra office to see if he would be around.

"They said he would be in New York when we planned to go but nobody cancelled the trip.

"We named the business StarLine tours and had a wonderful time going round the film studios and visiting Disneyland.

"After that I found I had regular clients and we went twice a year for two weeks, looking round the stars' homes, visiting the studios and looking inside the sets - it was wonderful."

Clive's tours were a novelty in Hollywood in the 1970s and soon became noticed. Clive's friendly Yorkshire manner attracted a lot of attention and he soon made key contacts in the movie business.

One was the legendary Johnny Grant, dubbed the Mayor of Hollywood' because of his dedication to the city.

Johnny was the man responsible for the Hollywood Walk of Fame and often gave Clive direct access to some of the biggest stars of the screen.

Clive said: "Johnny was a great friend of mine. I met him in a hotel and he called me over and invited me for breakfast. After that I always had breakfast with him at what was known as the Mayor's Table.' "Whenever there was a dedication at the Walk of Fame, Johnny always made sure I was inside the barriers which protected the stars from their fans.

"It was because of him that I met Faye Dunaway and Kevin Spacey - I was standing right next to them and Johnny said Come and meet a friend of mine.' "Faye was charming - she chatted with us for quite some time."

Clive also became good friends with one of his childhood heroes AC Lyle who was responsible for directing a number of the old Western films.

Among Mr Lyle's best friends were the legendary James Cagney and Ronald Reagan.

As his list of contacts grew Clive soon found himself conducting tours of all of the major film studios including Paramount, Universal, Warner Brothers, and 20th Century Fox He said: "We once saw the set of Die Hard. It was incredible. There was the top of a sky-scraper set against the twinkling Los Angelese sky-line. I've never seen anything like it - it was wonderful."

He also did tours of a number of movie sets including Bates Motel from the film Psycho'.

His popularity with Hollywood stars is perhaps best summed up in a photograph he received from Frank Sinatra.

It says: "For Shirley and Clive with my very best wishes and thanks for your loyal support throughout the years. It's people like you who make it all worthwhile, Love and God Bless, Frank Sinatra, 1989."

Sinatra also sent Clive a signed handkerchief, a gold cigarette lighter, a keyring and a gold St Christopher to keep him safe on his travels.

Another Hollywood favourite, Frank Gorshin also became a firm friend of Clive's and he often telephoned all the way from the States to check when Clive was next touring.

Gorshin was so fond of the quaint Yorkshire tour-guide that he included him in one of his live comedy impressions.

Clive said: "It was hilarious. Everyone in our group was in stitches. Gorshin was so talented. It was an honour to know him."

One of the highlights of Clive's career was when he met with the all American sweetheart Doris Day.

But perhaps his most treasured memory was when he attended the Oscars in 1975. Among those up for nomination was the legendary Fred Astaire for his part in the Towering Inferno.

Clive said: "Tickets for the Oscars were like gold-dust but I thought I'd be cheeky and write off to see if I could get hold of some.

"I couldn't believe it when the envelope came through. I was so excited.

"When I got there I walked up the red carpet where so many famous feet had trodden. I went into the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and there was a free bar.

"My wife and I were standing next to John Wayne and Fred Astaire - I was so nervous I couldn't work up the courage to talk to them and I've kicked myself about it ever since. I also saw Shirley MacLaine and Raquel Welch to name but a few."

The fairytale ended for Clive just over three years ago after the death of his wife Shirley.

Devastated by his loss Clive, who was brought up in Halifax, returned to his Yorkshire roots and moved to Otley, from his Eastbourne home where he now lives a slightly more regular life-style.

However the memories of Hollywood are never far from his mind and he helps to keep them alive by giving free talks to local groups and societies.

He said: "I've had the time of my life doing something I loved. I have met some incredible people and stored up some wonderful memories, not just of stars but of the clients who regularly booked up on my tours.

"If anyone had told me I would meet people like Doris Day when I was little I would have laughed.

"Now I hope to share these memories and passion with anyone interested in the film industry."

Clive can be contacted at clive@robertsclive.wanadoo.co.uk.