He is on first name terms with Baroness Thatcher, the Queen's grandchildren call him "uncle" and he has appeared in some of the nation's best-loved TV shows.

However, he is not rich or titled and some of his famous acquaintances completely ignore him.

Despite that, doorman Bill Dummett cannot afford to frown as his smiling face is often the first people see when they arrive at The Grand hotel in Brighton.

Since joining The Grand in 1987, the 65-year-old has become a familiar face for countless celebrities.

If he is not there, the first words many utter as they step inside are: "Where's Bill?"

But despite his inside knowledge, he refuses to dish the dirt and remains unfailingly polite about his star guests.

Status Quo were "very nice people", Michael Crawford was "very shy but very nice", Ronan Keating was "a credit to his profession", Sue Pollard was "a little bit special" while Adam Faith was "very impressive".

He had a chat with Faith just two weeks before the star's death, when he was asked to keep an eye on the actor's car parked in front of the hotel.

Other stars Bill has welcomed to the hotel include Michael Hutchence, David Hasselhoff, the Princess Royal, Tim Henman, Liverpool FC players, singer Robbie Williams, Michael Ball, Sir Paul McCartney and Jim Davidson.

Bill said: "Mrs Thatcher treated me as a normal person. Every morning she would come to the front door with her escorts.

"Nothing was too much trouble for her and she would always say 'Good morning, Bill, how are you?'."

Bill always wanted to meet the Duchess of York so was thrilled when she visited for Sunday lunch.

He said: "Nobody knew she was coming. I greeted her and brought her into the restaurant.

"After lunch I came to see if she was ready to go and she said to her children, 'Thank Uncle Bill for looking after us'. She was a very pleasant lady."

Ever discreet, Bill will only raise an eyebrow at the mention of potentially difficult guests such as rock band Oasis.

He reserves his harshest words for some of the Premiership footballers who use the hotel. Even then, all he will say is: "Some are a bit oafish at times."

Bill, who lives in Hangleton with wife June, is perhaps the most famous doorman in Britain, having appeared in a Coronation Street Christmas special - holding the door for Bet Lynch - and greeting Del Boy when Only Fools And Horses visited Brighton.

His biggest tip was from the King of Morocco, who once left £10,000 to be shared between hotel staff.

Bill, who has four daughters and five grandchildren, said: "I've been very lucky in having a great general manager, Richard Baker. I have a great job and have no wish to retire at the moment."