Showbiz: Gino D'Campo's Dublin Book Signing
By Avril keogh
The signing was supposed to happen at 1.00pm. I had been to plenty of book signings previously and therefore knew to get there early. I arrived at 11.20! I purchased a little present for Gino (more on that later) and then went to purchase his book when I noticed a sign that said he was actually arriving at 11.00am. I think there were four people in the queue ahead of me at this stage. One of the girls in the queue (if you can call it a queue) said that there had been a last minute time change and that she had just happened to notice it. Unfortunately things were not looking good. I thought he was going to cancel. Let's face it, it was 11.30am now and no sign of him yet. Then an Eason staff member came over and announced that Gino was lost on the way to the shop (I hope it wasn't because I tweeted him to tell him to take the Coast Road because it was a beautiful drive, hmmm might not mention that).
Actually I think it had more to do with him being out on the town in Dublin last evening and having 11 pints of Guinness! He told us that story when he finally turned up. The poor man looked exhausted and in desperate need of a coffee, but he was in good form and he came over to have a chat with us when he came in. At this stage the queue was a little longer, but probably only about 30 inhabitants now. Not that I was complaining - I was fifth in line. This is the quickest book signing I've ever been at... Gino was great. Usually at book signings it's a bit like a cattle market, you can get shoved in and shoved out by as many people as possible. Gino took time to talk to everyone individually, get photos - I'd say a good three or four minutes with each person, which doesn't sound like a lot but it is at these things. So then it was my turn. I asked this man who was standing near by if he wouldn't mind taking a photo of us and I approached Gino. He gave me a great big hug and kiss and then announced to the room that I went in for the lips. How dare he?????? No, wait a minute a gorgeous looking Italian man (who can cook) just leaned in to kiss me of course I'm going to aim for the lips - I ain't stupid!!!!!
So anyway he signed my book and then I presented him with the little present I had got for him. It was a book (we swapped ok!), in fact it was 'The feckin book of Irish love' although I don't think he understood the 'feckin' word I think he thought it was something else terribly rude. Honestly, Gino if you're reading this....I wasn't coming on to you - it was a joke book! I thought an Italian love God like himself might appreciate it. So I collected my camera from the lovely gentleman who was taking the photos and headed back in the direction of my car. I got a lot more photos but due to space could only upload these ones for now..
As I was leaving, there were more and more people turning up. So I hope more people came as the morning went on. Gino deserved it. And as for the book - Fantastico! And no - no sign of any rats.