A St Andrews University night porter received an unexpected treat recently when he picked up a call from Sir Sean Connery.
The former James Bond was ringing to offer his support to student organisers of an arts festival taking place later this month.
It is the second year Sir Sean, a patron of the festival, called from his home in the Bahamas to chat to unsuspecting students.
Last year, event organiser Philippa Dunn took the call, but this year’s surprise recipient was porter Robert Dibb, who was doing his nightly rounds of the students’ association building
“It was around 5.30pm, so staff had not long left.
“I picked up the phone and the voice at the other end said, ‘Hello, my name is Sean Connery, I’m calling about the On The Rocks opening night. Please could you tell Ella I am unable to attend as I’m in the Bahamas.’
“He then wished the festival well and offered his continued support.”
“It wasn’t until after I told a colleague that remembered him doing the same thing last year that I realised it was really him. It was quite surreal,” said Robert.
On The Rocks, now in its second year, showcases the best in comedy, poetry, literature, design, art, film, dance and music and will run from Sunday, April 18, to the following Sunday in and around St Andrews.
It is run entirely by St Andrews students on a limited budget, and the organisers hope it will eventually become one of the highlights of the Scottish arts calendar.
Student Ella Wright had written to Sir Sean requesting continued support and was thrilled to hear about the transatlantic phone call from the actor, who holds an honorary degree from St Andrews.
Ella, who is in her fourth year, said she had no idea the movie icon had rang until someone told her a few days later.
“I was gutted to have missed it, but we are absolutely delighted to have his continued support,” she said.
“It really means a lot to us that he took the time to ring personally to give us his good wishes for the second year running.”
The event already has the support of honorary graduates Dame Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley, as well as former students Crispin Bonham Carter and Siobhan Redmond.
New additions this year include actor Simon Pegg and philosopher Roger Scruton, who is also making an appearance.