Saying ‘no’ to Donald Sutherland was the start of a beautiful friendship

I’d only been working for a few months as a researcher on the Observer’s magazine. One late evening, the deputy editor rushed over to me in the open plan office. I’d been working on a project and didn’t want to go home. 

‘Look’ he said, ‘the actor Donald Sutherland is in town to promote his latest film.’ ( I can’t remember its name). ‘Have you heard of him.’ I nodded. ‘We forgot to get anyone to go and none of the features writers are free. Would you like to try your hand at an interview?’

He paused. ‘Look he can be very difficult. Even if you get a few lines it will be okay and don’t get upset if he starts shouting at you and tells you to get lost.’

Scared excitement overwhelmed me. I rushed to the hotel and someone showed me where he was. He’d