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Spotty showers; coldNews
Julie comes to the rescue
17/12/2004
THE most famous Rover's Return barmaid Julie Goodyear stepped in
to make sure a top curry chef got to 10 Downing Street.
When Farooq Ahmed slipped on cobbles and shattered his elbow in
Rochdale town centre he thought his meeting with Prime Minister
Tony Blair to discuss youth work might have to be called off.
He had to have pins inserted into the damaged left arm and surgeons
told him to take it easy.
But Julie, who played barmaid Bet Lynch for years in Coronation
Street, offered a helping hand.
Twice north west curry chef of the year Farooq runs the Veenas
restaurant in Heywood which is also Julie's first choice for a
local meal out.
After signing Farooq's cast in sympathy she organised a driver to
take him down to No 10 where he met Tony Blair who also signed his
cast.
Said Farooq: "It was great to be driven down to London without any
worries about getting late or lost. It was nice of Julie to do
that.
"At Downing Street I met Blair and talked about the youth work I
have been doing. He asked about my arm and I told him what
happened. He was a pleasant man and he even signed my cast.
"After the Blair visit I was back in the restaurant to make Julie
her last curry before she goes on Celebrity Fit Club. I managed to
make it with one arm and I gave her plenty of dishes. As well as
her favourite chicken madras I cooked frogs legs in batter. Julie
was not expecting that at all and you should have seen her face
when she realised it was frogs legs. But she did enjoy the
madras."
Another signature Farooq has collected is that of angry celebrity
chef Gordon Ramsey famous for his "Hell Kitchen" series.
Added Farooq: "Gordon Ramsey is a role model of mine. I have been
inspired by him and was determined to meet him at the Birmingham
Good Food show."
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