Ok, sorry for the dad-joke-y pun. And ya ya ya, I know, RDC5 part 1509 is still waiting to be written. But hey, I just can’t help feeling upbeat about a new project happening. Right now in Manchester. And with the first BTS photos filtering from the various sets. After my little post from last night, Servetus posted another pic from the same location overnight. And when perusing that and thinking about the new, lighter wardrobe allowed for the man (I mean, let’s face it, in BS he was always rather darkly attired, too), I suddenly had visions of the past and I thought I should really pass on the info to our newer fandom members.
So, here’s The Stranger
Sorry for the pixellation – that is because the original images are just too small and the gallery view automatically enlarges the picture.
So – the coat. Let’s forget for the moment that Guylty would usually class coats of this length as Arschbetrüger or “bum cheaters”. But I find this actually really classy – the white shirt, dark trousers, brown brogues (?). Let’s ignore the suit jacket for the moment, because hello, this is a familiar look.

Richard Armitage shot by Justin Canning, 2008
Forget the details – I can see for myself that this coat is grey rather than beige, there are buttons, and his trousers are dark grey not black/blue. But can we just agree that the look really does suit him? Maybe back in baby!RA times – the photo shoot from which the coat pictures stems, was done in 2008! – he hadn’t quite filled out his clothes yet. Actually, he looks almost skinny in the pictures. Definitely also a few years younger. But 10.5 years have passed since then, so there are bound to be a couple of physical changes.
The Canning shoot actually produced eight coat pictures, which I am including here for your convenience:
You definitely need to enlarge and look at the half-length picture – you will see that the coat is definitely too large for the slight, skinny 2008 RA. With his hands almost hidden in the sleeves, he looks a bit like mummie’s good boy, dressed for church on a Sunday 😂. But other than that – well, I wouldn’t have pushed him off the edge of my bed, let’s put it that way… Anyway, Justin Canning is still active. I checked his website but even though Armitage is basically the first tear sheet in the “studio” section of his website, Canning doesn’t show us any other pics from the archive.
However, good news for our young fandom friends at the end: There were more pictures where the ones above came from. The whole Canning shoot comprised several outfit changes. The coat pictures weren’t (and still aren’t) my favourites because I prefer casual RA. And the Canning shoot contains a few wonderful gems where RA finally allows his gorgeous smile to break through.
Ok, are you dead yet? If not, you can see the glory of a total of 101 (one hundred and one!) images from the same series on richardarmitagenet.com . I can only encourage you to go, have a look, and leave Ali a comment and some love for still keeping that website alive. Oh, and if you are still alive after perusing all that gorgeous, young, happy hotness, let me know which of the pics is *your* personal favourite.
Holy hotness! I agree, it’s a no on the coat (the old one; I lovelovelove the new one), but the smile slays me. Unfortunately, I cannot indulge in all 101 glorious pics atm. #damnwork
But maybe that should be my homework! 🤓
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Well, it is nearing 4pm where you are, so hopefully you can soon indulge in some homework. There are plenty more pics with smiles. (I also really like the series of pics taking in front of the orange backdrop. Some gorgeous laughing there, too. And a very skinny, casually dressed RA who looks like a *real* person, not a “star” posing for photos…)
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He looks very different there. Gonna research some tonight.
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Yeah. I’m really sorry but you will have to. It’s gonna be tough. But you have to!
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Oh, the hardships of fandom. #woeisme
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Yep. If Richard knew the sacrifices we make. Hours spent looking at his old photos. Honestly, he’d probably PAY us compensation…
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He can pay me in something other than money…
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Naturalienhandel?
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Absolut. Wer braucht schon Geld? Da kann ich mir einige Alternativen vorstellen.
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And RA is as good as gold, anyway.
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A smile from him is worth more than all the gold in Erebor! ❤
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touché
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“I wouldn’t have pushed him off the edge of my bed” no indeed nor anywhere off the bed!!😘🤣🤣🤣
The blue jumper pic on the right b/c his smile lights up a thousand watts in me and every female on this planet!!
Hope you are feeling well and no need for the Nurofen now that I know what that! Thank you Jenny again! 😘😘😘
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Isn’t he gorgeous when he laughs??? Ok, he seems to be typecast to be menacing rather than happy, but even in his own pictures he always keeps his mouth shut… I do wonder whether someone told him he had an ugly grimace if he laughed or some such crap…
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Guytly, yeah know it’s funny you say that. I was thinking in the blue sweater pic maybe he got told a dirty naughty joke and started laughing. As Guy it seemed he was rolling his eyes a lot but maybe there was a lot of raunchy dirty talk on that set vis a vis Keith Allen. Proctor and Francis-yeah very stern and serious, brutally intense.
Remember the adjusting the crouch pic of Lucas I mean that was sweet in its own way..
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Lucas wasn’t really a happy-go-lucky character, and therefore I suppose RA’s MO was probably also less than happy during the time of filming Spooks. IDK, I don’t think his laugh in that blue jumper photo looks like a dirty laugh. Looks kind of happy to me, as if someone made a genuinely funny quip. The whole shoot looks remarkable real life to me – it’s still one of the earlier shoots for RA, and he seemed to be himself during it – with a range of emotions from embarrassed to happy to cheeky…
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Guylty, ah yes you are probably spot on…
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Skinny for S7 Lucas….2008…..and he has grown ever more gorgeous with the intervening years, that smile still slays me. I adore the sticky-up hair in several of the shots. Time for another 101 Justin Canning shots I reckon!
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Yep, getting ready to film Spooks. What really gets me about this shoot, though, is that he looks so young!!! He looks way younger than Lucas ever did.
And oh, I am completely with you… if Justin Canning did another mega shoot, I’d pay to see it.
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As soon as the photos from the set of The Stranger surfaced I immediately thpught of the old Lucas days. The pics have a throwback quality to them, that’s for sure. And I have to say, the Spooks look
has always been one of my favourite ones- two close seconds go to DM in S1 of BS and Dr. Scott White in Sleepwalker.
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RA was positively yummy as Lucas North. That costume dept. really knew how to make the star look irresistible. There were a few too many boring suits in BS1 for my taste, and I could never get beyond that awful facial shrubbery and much too short hair in the snooze film, but I do fondly remember the snug t-shirt and jeans in the handyman scene…
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Oh, well, I’m into men in suits and smart clothes! Maybe the fact that my Dad used to wear French and Italian three-piece suits during my formative years has a lot to do with it. You know what they say, that we girls tend to go for men who resemble our father, be it in terms of their physical appearance, wardrobe preferences, personality, etc. Even though I don’t look at Richard with the eyes of a daughter, LOL- I’m actually 9-months his senior- it’s always spooked me how similar his skull, hairline, forehead and greying pattern are to my Dad’s. Actually, it’s always been the case with men I find myself attracted to on and off-screen.
As regards BS, I’ve never been a fan, as you already know. However, out of the three seasons, number 1 was the best in my opinion and the one in which I found Richard the most appealing, physically speaking. *Yes, I can be shallow on occasion.*
About the “facial shrubbery” in Sleepwalker, I know what you mean. I’ve always preferred Richard sans beard or with a stubble myself. Although the trimmed beard he sported for the Recognise Magazine photoshoot, for example, was quite yummy. http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Richard/Promos/Recognisemag/slides/Recognise-3.html
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That photoshoot. Be sill my heart. *fistbite*
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To each their own, G 😉 – I totally get why you and many others like the formal look on RA. He fills out those suits very well. And hey, Richard in a suit is not a dealbreaker for me *hahaha*. Your theory – although logical – doesn’t really work for me, though. My dad was a typical German man of his generation, and he went to work in a suit every day. So I was used to seeing the first man I ever admired in formal wear all the time – and yet I prefer my current object of admiration in casual wear. Just because I can relate to it in a different way, I guess.
BS1 – I think RA definitely looked sleekest and youngest in that season. I really don’t know what it is with me, because I honestly do NOT have a weakness for neo-nazis, but somehow Trevor Price really got me in his tight jeans and big boots 😱. (I totally loved RA’s look at the Red Dragon con for the same reason: tight jeans, big boots. Wasn’t a major fan of that weird black leather shirt, but I did like the black hoodie.)
Hooray, you are a fellow Stubbelista! Come here, G, it’s us against the rest… *hahaha*
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Don’t get me wrong I also go for smart casual. And, well, I’d still like Richard in a hemp sack. LOL
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Hehe, I misread this as “I’d still like Richard in the sack.” And boy, yes, I agree with that statement. *coughs*
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N/C
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Oh, you’re one naughty girl! This is one smart casual look I like – the tie could be optional, though: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/29/ae/7c/29ae7c28adf630718db78b8743d956f2.jpg
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That was an interesting look alright. Not *my* cup of tea, but I give him points for wearing something different.
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He looks adorable there! Nice pic thanks!!!
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i love that look-but i love a man in a waistcoat
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Guylty, I would go with that interpretation anytime as would many other commenters here I am sure!!
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Is that a black cardigan under his jacket in the first one??? Be still my beating heart!
I like the Dad look on Richard. I HATE the light grey jacket with the white button down set. But the blue v-neck pullover with the million dollar smile…. oh yeah!
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I don’t think it’s a cardigan but the jacket that goes with the suit, so to speak…
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Could be.
I’m rather partial to cardigans under the jackets….
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Hm, can’t quite imagine that, but if it rocks your boat, I am all for it!!
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He wore them quite often during the press tour of the first Hobbit.
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The grey cardigan? Yeah. But under a suit? Don’t remember that. But take your word for it.
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It was under a jacket – either black or grey, can’t remember. I should hunt pictures.
I should write while life is quiet.
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Zee wasn’t it grey?
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The cardigan was grey. I remember that well. There were interviews and such where he was wearing the grey cardigan and then there were others that day where he was wearing the cardigan with a black jacket. He looked very suave and debonair and just a classy look all around
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Zee, yep I agree with you. Debonair is a great word!! Dashing too!!
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I think this is the look you mean, Zee:
http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Richard/Interviews/Toronto/album/slides/UnionStation-23.html
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Don’t waste your time looking for pictures. I take your word for it. Use the time to write!
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Zee, Yes he did!!! I see it all the time on your blog for #MCM so thank you!!!!
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Thank you Zee “million dollar smile!” Those were the words I was looking for!!
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Loved them all. Have not been home for a while and spotty Wi-Fi is challeninging. I don’t think I will catch up, but I will do my best. My RA Obsession deserves nothing less. Like all the coats. Nice to see him with his collar down for a change. And not in black.
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Kathy we miss you!!! Where are you?
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Agree with all of the above.
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Oh, Kathy – where are you??? Travelling around???
Collar down = major look change 😂. Who knows, after this, after having worn beige coats with the collar down, he might even get some roles in romantic comedies offered 😉
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Lol, hi you guys. Just typed fab reply and WiFi cut out as it was sending. Short answer- I am in Egypt. Floated Nile. Lake Nasser , currently Sharm El Sheikh. Hubs scuba diving in Red Sea while I wait in room with sinus infection. Which is less noticeable than pink eye I had last week. Miss all you guys. Hope this goes through.
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The thing with the new coat vs the old one is all in the shoulders. I hate ‘with a vengeance’ rounded shoulders on coats. The coat in the BTS is gorgeous and a lush colour.
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😍😍 It’s a great fit.
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Not defending that old coat (that was quite clearly not his size), but the round shoulder look may also have been a sign of the times. 2008 is 11 years ago at this stage…
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I’ve always disliked round shoulders on anything -alway been one for tailoring -even at my school where we didn’t wear blazers…I wore a mans blazer! Lol
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He looks great in those old photos –what a face he has — but the clothing is imo horrible. I’ve never especially liked that series; in fact, I use one of them as my joke “Chinese New Year” message.
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The clothes were weird. It almost looks as if they didn’t have a stylist on that shoot but Canning brought some stuff along and told RA to throw it on 😂
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some are a wee bit ‘mannequin’ like..his skin is so smooth and perfect
the trainers with suit is a bit Tennant Dr Who which made me giggle
do like seeing him in some colour, but the dark brown hair dye isn’t a favourite of mine
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Eh, it’s a photo shoot. No wonder he looks like a model 😂😂😂
Is it a different hair dye colour than usual? I hadn’t noticed it.
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hehe, yo know what i mean
the Just For Men is a bit blocky looking here, that’s all!
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LOL – you’re missing the silver highlights, right? Yep, so do I. Although I really like this baby-faced pup…
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I love Babytage but if I had to choose, it‘s the semi-silver fox all the way. How effin‘ good does he look right now! GAAAAHHH!
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Well, NOW I want the silver fox. But 10 years ago I totally would’ve preferred Babytage.
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Had I but known of Babytage ten years ago… *sigh*
He was always gorgeous but I think he really does get better all the time.
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I hate to say this, but: beauty… eyes… beholder… beholder’s age. 😬 That’s definitely the case with me…
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That certainly plays a role. Nevertheless, I think even (somewhat) objectively speaking, he is a man that improves with age. I would say that a 30 yo Paul Newman was hotter than a 50 yo Paul Newman. With RA I‘m not so sure.
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Hm, not quite sure whether I agree unreservedly. I will forever love early-30s Guy of Gisborne. Timeless classic masculinity – despite the mullet.
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Guy is fantastic, no question. But the character plays into that for me. I love the baddieness and the guyliner. But that‘s not RA per se.
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Oh, that’s true. I wasn’t really thinking of RA as a person at all. I have to admit that I am also very partial to napecurlitage with a little stubblitage a la Bafta tea party LA 2012…
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I‘m doing my homework on that photoshoot rn. I stand by foxy silver RA, but I *am* fanning myself currently over some of those smiles. And I really, really want to feed the man.
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He had lost all that weight to play season 7 Lucas North, fresh back from Russia. It made him look really young in this shoot – although not in the show itself.
I prefer RA slightly chunkier, but yes, it was the gorgeous wide smiles that really got me in this shoot. Mainly because they are such a rare occurrence. I mean, you can look through all of his shoots, and there are lots of smoulders and intense stares. There are smiles, too. But a full-on happy laugh with an open mouth that shows off some of those expensive teeth, is really rare! What a pity. He has a gorgeous smile – as we saw in VoD.
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Ah VoD yes Harry smiled a lot!! What a sweet guy!!!
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Devastating! Well, maybe we hVe to be grateful that RA skimps on the smiles – we’d be dead, so dead. All. The. Time!
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I don’t know Guylty, I wish he would smile more IMO. The ski vid is delightful b/c he smiled and was happy and bubbly and darling.
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Yeah, I was only kidding. But well, maybe he keeps that smile for special occasions…
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He could sidled up to me and smile and stare all he wants. I wouldn’t mind any of it one bit!!!
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Oh sure… Same here. But I’d be sighing and completely lose the capacity to speak…
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🤣🤣🤣😍😍😍😍👍👏👏😉
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It‘s a good job he wasn‘t looking at me when he laughed at the autographs. I would’ve fainted dead away.
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Devastating, I know!
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i like the pics with the orange background best, they’re very cute and casual. The other clothes look over sized!
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The orange b’ground images are my faves, too, Rachel. Although in them you get the full extent of his skinniness. But that part of the shoot looks least posed. And the clothes look “real” and as if they are his…
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he looks comfortable compared to the other pics and very boy next door (in my dreams)
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Spot on, yes.
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That second The Stranger picture (on the right) looks like he’s someone the police are searching for with CCTV images. 🙂
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LOL – you are absolutely right, Esther. My fault – I cropped it so close that the image became really pixellated in this gallery view…
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In your defence, the quality of that picture in itself is not great to start with.
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CCTV quality 📹
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And OMG, Baby Richie! 🙂
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Esther baby Richie❤️👍😍😍🤣🤣🤣
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*sniggers* yeah, right? I mean, it’s not even as if he really was a young adult, but only 10, 12 years ago he looked quite different. Still disernably Richard, but different. I see a certain vulnerability there, some innocence, some sweet trust… Not saying that he has lost all that, but I think he looks less “truthful” and a bit more “experienced in life” in his contemporary photos…
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I think he is now definitely more guarded, yes. We probably all are in comparison to 12 years ago but I imagine if you are somewhat in the public eye like he is, that guardedness increases.
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You’re right. Although I really feel sorry for him. That kind of guardedness means that you lose out on a lot of interesting encounters. And I don’t necessarily mean that from the perspective of a fan, but just in general…
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Perhaps it just takes him awhile to warm up to people in general. That is certainly common myself included when one is shy or reserved and yes guarded. He seemed very playful in the IG pics of Minas and MF so once he feels comfortable showing his inner child I’m sure he’s a blast to be around 🤣🤣😘
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Well, not sure whether he needs long to warm up with his celebrity friends… I think his reserve is directed at the public. Disappointing for us, but understandable. But anyway, *his* decision, his boundaries.
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Well maybe even if private except his immediate family perhaps he walls up or the engine takes awhile to rev up. I’m sure he has friends that are non celebrity or I hope he does. ❤️😘😉
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Yep, I hope so, too. For his sanity.
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😉😉❤️❤️❤️sehr richtig!!
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I haven’t gone through all the 101 pics today yet but I’ve never like the Canning shoot pics, not the clothes or how he’s made RA look, too boyish for me,
weedy even. It’s quite astonishing that he is off the back of Gisborne and going into Lucas at this time. But I love his BTS coat, it really suits him and reminds me of those worn in those 60s spy films
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What? Whot? WHOT?????? Oh dreamer… 😭. Sure, I don’t think I’d be madly falling in love with the 2008-skinny Babytage nowadays. But back then – well, I would’ve been 12 years younger, too… I definitely always find my taste in men (and men’s styling) to mirror my own age. RA is my vintage, and I always tend to like his looks… *shallow Betty*
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Ha ha! Well I am tongue-hanginginoutedly fancied him in that vintage, just not in that photo shoot ( and I blame the photographer for that!) but I haven’t been through all 101 yet and I’m sure there are some that escape JC’s influence Will report back…
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Hehe, yep, it’s a real hardship having to go through all those 101 pictures. Ask Kate – she was really annoyed yesterday, too…
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It was so hard.
(Lucky I’m not a guy or this statement could be seriously misconstrued.) 😳🤭
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N/C
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Guess I’ll just have to nuckle down …
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Jane enjoy your journey in Richard picture land… don’t forget to come up for air!!!
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hehehe
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OK, I’ve done my homework of the 101s. Richard does look hot in his blue suit in the first few pics but I’ve not changed my opinion about the rest . They just look peculiar to me, some quite 1960s trippy as though he has been shot through a fish-eye lens. I’ve always had a soft spot for the red cardigan though, with RA modelling for a 1960s knitting-pattern – it does tickle me. .
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Hehehe, interesting take, dreamer – 60s trippy. Tbh, that had not occurred to me.
The red cardigan is such a left-field choice for him. And I just cannot unsee that picture as used on the cover of a multi-part RP fan fic that placed RA as a college professor in a sex education class room 😂
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It‘s 100 % Mr. Rogers to me. I have to meme that!
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Mr Rogers?
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Won‘t you be my neighbor?
http://nyp.st/2pxW0dF
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Oh, never heard of him… *ooops*
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Tom Hanks will play him in an upcoming movie. Huge icon in the States
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OMG I haven’t seen that! I don’t get college professor if he was wearing that red cardigan, he looks like he’d been eaten alive. Mind you, he has been creeping into some headmaster fantasies recently ! It’s hard to imagine that he is the same person
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Yep, time has definitely moved on.
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