WHEN she was ushered into the Evening Times offices back in the summer of 1960, Margot Burkhill could scarcely believe her luck.

Not because she got a tour of our newspaper offices and tea in the canteen, although that must have been exciting enough – especially as she got to meet ‘Scoop’ Martin, ace reporter – but instead, because she had won our competition to meet her pop idol.

“I was 17, and I was going to meet Marty Wilde,” smiles Margot.

Margot Burkhill pictured at home in Glasgow next to a collection of photographs of herself with famous people. She is holding a photograph of herself with Marti Wilde after she won an Evening Times competition in 1960 to meet the singer at the Empire

Margot Burkhill pictured at home in Glasgow next to a collection of photographs of herself with famous people. She is holding a photograph of herself with Marti Wilde after she won an Evening Times competition in 1960 to meet the singer at the Empire

“WHAT excitement – wow. Meeting a famous pop star was incredible and I loved Marty and his Wildcats.”

She confides, with a laugh: “It was actually one of the Wildcats, Jim Sullivan, I really fancied.

“But it was quite something to meet them all.

“We were like giggly teenagers, of course, but it was a lot of fun. He was very nice, and they all chatted to us, and the show was brilliant.”

Marty Wilde, father of singer Kim, has had a string of hits over a career that is still going strong.

His most famous songs include Donna and Teenager in Love, and he continues to tour with the Wildcats all over the country.

He has also secured the rare feat, according to his website, “of chart success as a singer and songwriter across eight consecutive decades on the Official Albums and Singles Chart.”

Back in 1960, our photographer captured the moment Margot (back row, right) and three other winners joined Marty backstage at the Empire.

It’s one of many pictures Margot has kept and treasured over the decades.

Margot Burkhill, right, pictured with Sean Connery at St Andrews. Re Times Past feature. At left is Margots aunt Greta... Photograph courtesy of Margot Burkhill..For GT Times Past, see story by Ann Fotheringham..

Margot, right, pictured with Sean Connery at St Andrews.

“I’ve met a few celebrities,” she says, in something of an understatement.

One wall in her house in Knightswood is covered with pictures she has collected on her travels.

Margot Burkhill pictured with Ally McCoist. Re Times Past feature... Photograph courtesy of Margot Burkhill..For GT Times Past, see story by Ann Fotheringham..

Margot with Ally McCoist

There’s Margot with Johnny Mathis in LA, back in 1998, and that’s her hugging Ally McCoist (she worked in Jaeger’s in Glasgow, and the Old Firm stars often popped in ‘for their outfits’, she explains.)

There’s one of her with footballer Emlyn Hughes in Jersey (‘lovely guy’) and Sean Connery at St Andrews (‘he was exceptionally rude,’ she frowns.)

Margot Burkhill pictured with Johnny Mathis in Los Angeles in 1998. Re Times Past feature... Photograph courtesy of Margot Burkhill..For GT Times Past, see story by Ann Fotheringham..

Margot metJohnny Mathis in Los Angeles in 1998.

Margot has met Debbie Reynolds in Vegas, Rod Stewart in the Bahamas, and Frankie Howerd in Jordanhill. (He was at a friend’s party.)

She has hugged Ian Botham and chatted to ‘one of the Drifters’ on a cruise ship.

“My husband Ian and I loved to travel, and whenever I saw someone famous, I’d always go up and ask them for a photo or an autograph,” she says.

Margot Burkhill, left pictured with Frankie Howerd (2nd from left) in Glasgow. At right is her husband Ian. The couple in the middle are a Mr and Mrs Young. Frankie was a family friend of the Youngs. Re Times Past feature... Photograph courtesy of Margot

Margot, left pictured with Frankie Howerd (second from left), her husband Ian, right and friends Mr and Mrs Young, in Jordanhill. 

An autographed photograph of Debbie Reynolds to Margot Burkhill. Re Times Past feature... Photograph courtesy of Margot Burkhill..For GT Times Past, see story by Ann Fotheringham..

An autographed photograph of Debbie Reynolds who Margot met in Vegas.

Sadly, Ian died from prostate cancer nine years ago.

“Ian would always just roll his eyes whenever I made a beeline for someone, but that’s just me – I can’t help it,” smiles Margot.

Margot grew up in Maryhill, and worked as a store detective in C&A on Sauchiehall Street for 20 years before moving to sales in Jaeger on Buchanan Street.

She took part in a project in 2005 at the People’s Palace, sharing memories of life in Glasgow in the 1950s.

“We shared lots of happy memories about everything from living in the tenements and doing the washing with carbolic soap and a scrubbing board, to all the old music halls and theatres,” says Margot.

READ MORE: The famous Glasgow 'hatter to the King' who was ahead of his time

“It was a great walk down memory lane. I love the pictures I have collected through the years - they bring back a lot of happy memories.”

Can you beat Margot’s celebrity tally? Which famous faces have you spotted in the city? Get in touch to share your stories and photos.