Messages from Richard to his fans

Wednesday 23rd December 2009

"Dear Friends,
Its that time of year again and I wanted to extend my goodwill and best wishes to you all. It has been a busy, rather difficult year for all of us, and coming to the end of a decade is a great time to think and gather strength for the next one.
Thank you for the continued support, which has been offered to me this year, I hope that I can continue to 'carve a path' which is both exciting, diverse and honorable to this crazy art form.

Thank you all, also, for the wonderful gifts which I have finally received after my travels abroad. I will eventually give thanks by letter. I do however, wish to ask, especially at this time of year, and this particular year, as I look at the small mountain of carefully chosen gifts purchased with those hard earned pennies; wracked with guilt when I think of the potential that your collective generosity could provide for those who have much less than I do; for you to pause and consider. I can't tell you how grateful I am for all your support and kind words, these are gifts enough, and I would like to recommend two other charities which I have chosen to support this year in addition to Barnardo's and Shelter. I would like to recommend Childline and The Salvation Army, as potential recipients of a small offering.

I hope the Christmas spirit runs high through all the families gathering together, and for those who are alone, to enjoy the simplicity of a day when the our corner of the world stops for a few hours. Yes there is only one left!!!

Drink, be Merry, be kind, be thankful.

I wish everyone joy for Christmas, and hope for a happy 2010.

With love
Richard

http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Armitage - ChildLine
http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Armitage2 - Barnardo's
http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Armitage3 - Shelter
http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Armitage4 - The Salvation Army

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

Hi everyone,
This is a message of thanks for yet more gifts and good wishes that I have been receiving, I apologize if some of you have been waiting for responses but since United Agents relocation there has been a bit of a back log, but I hope to catch up with it all soon.

Before I say thanks, I have to 'rap knuckles' again. I am really sad that I have to write a message like this but needs must. I have been informed of continued angst amongst forum and fan base members, though various different channels and I want to ease any growing tensions if I can. Obviously I have no evidence for problems nor will I take sides in any dispute. I have NO personal correspondence with any fan, fan base or forum, I have deliberately tried NOT to favour one over another. My ONLY contact is through these messages. Occasionally, in the past, I have responded to letters with minor personal additions when requested but I suspect this may be causing further problems. Any 'thanks' given have been because certain events, gifts, fund raising have been brought to my attention. If ever I have over looked someone or something, I sincerely apologize. I welcome any requests for 'commendations' and will do everything I can to oblige.

Charity endorsement will always be unofficial, which enables me to look at different charities when needs arise. Once again, if I am asked to endorse something, it is looked into properly and then I will decide if it is something I want to support. Usually it is because it is relevant to me.

So please, once more, let me implore you to put your grievances aside and enjoy the fun. If it stops being fun, then it must stop altogether. I am really proud to have such a united fan base and I love the fact that I can keep things informal and have contact with you all. I am determined this will not change but if it all falls apart because the 'foundations are cracked', it would be such a great shame.  I do not favour one site over another which is why I have asked for my messages to be distributed to anyone who wants to post it. There is room for everyone.

I get quite a few very personal letters telling me how this community has helped them through difficult times or given them a great hobby, so I suppose the letters which tell me how upset the community has made them, is all part of the ebb and flow. I just ask you to look after each other, thats all. There are quite a few sensitive souls lingering out there which need protecting not to mention the younger members who are looking at you as role models. This angst goes against everything I believe in, I think you know that.

"To live and let live, without clamour for distinction or recognition; to wait on divine love; to write truth first on the tablet of one's own heart - this is the sanity and perfection of living." ~ Mary Baker Eddy

Thank you for:

Framed water colour of Me as Richard III (watch this space!) Stationary Paper with My Name and Mrs A's name on it (scribble scribble) Upwardly mobile Actors Survival Kit 'Track Suit' (To run away from angry fans!?) Silver Gold Engraved ring (hidden in Easter egg nearly choked on it scoffing the chocolate!) Junior Doctors Satirical Stories+ Phots of OZ (down under not Wizard of...) Silver Bracelet hidden in Comfy insoles (nearly choked on it scoffing insoles!!) Insect repellent and Herbal Cream (scratch scratch) Stuffed toy Vixen and Pink Umbrella (animal not woman!!) "The Iron King" by Maurice Duron (am guessing this isn't about pressing a shirt!) Richard III by Horace Walpole (read it Love it) CD's Demo CD's (Simon Cowell eat ya heart out) The Taming of the Shrew by Willy Wagglestaff (no comment) Adventures of Little Guy by Cherry T (is that alcoholic?) Vitamin B ( for 'Blummin eck that does the trick') Easter Eggs + Fairtrade bag for Life (choked on the bag scoffing the chocolate) Easter Eggs and dark side chocolate (choked on the chocolate scoffing the...chocolate) Chocolate Soap (really cleaned my mouth out!) Hand knitted socks (bless her cottons!!) Pen and Key Chain set (writing home) Special Powers Thimble (to ward of evils) 2 Leap Year proposals (covered in Chocolate...) Crucifix (to keep me safe!)

Probably a few more to follow.

Much Love
Keep up the good work and SHINE
RA

Sunday 30th March 2008

THE BIRD HAS FLOW.STOP.NORTH TILL THE AUTUMN.STOP.WILL MAKE CONTACT WHEN BIG BAD CONTROL LIFTS THE GAG.STOP.METAPHORICAL NOT LITERAL.STOP.  TIME IS SHORT LIKE THE BARNETT. STOP. FORGIVE ME. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN DON'T STOP.STOP RA

Wednesday 27th December 2007

Thank you message part 2.

Ok, so I was maybe a little hasty in my filing of “Director of Armitage Fan Base Centrals” P45. She won’t be getting fired after all. In fact, Turkey wasn’t stuffed and gifts remained unwrapped until the piles of your letters and gifts were dealt with. We had to survive on fish fingers and half a tin of ‘Quality Street’! I was a little hasty, you see, half of the mail went North and half came South, and I finally caught up!

So here is my ‘thank you’ list part 2.
 If I could only reply individually to your letters I would. It is very easy to sit here and suggest charity’s etc. but when those gift cards come through the post and I realise the generosity and care which is out there, I feel PRIVILEGED to have fans who care as much as you. The books of poetry, music and all your personal gifts are given with so much thought. I don’t believe I deserve it, but I send thanks all the same. I don’t think any of your gifts are WEIRD, I love them all.

World Vision Meal for 70 children in Cambodia
Shelter, gift
Oxfam Unwrapped donation to Bangladesh and Respect
Banardos  ‘Give Mum a helping Hand’
Banardos ‘Help an Autistic Child’
A gift of love from Tear- school supplies to help 3rd world children attend a community school 3 Trees planted in Normanton Wood, Earl Shilton by Woodland trust. (Visited this on Boxing Day!!!) “Redwings Horse Sanctuary” in Oxhill, Warwicks. A years sponsorship of a horse named ‘Will Scarlet’ (How cool is this, I may have to pay Will Scarlet a visit too!)

Books.

Yorkshire and Fresh Air Poems
Poems by Eminescu, A Romanian Poet
Do Nothing to Change your Life
Various Islands

Amy Winehouse CD
Zavvi Gift Card
2 Snowflake Charms
Charity Calender 2008
Key ring ‘Talisminis’
Mouse mat Jibjab
Australia Calender
Half a ton of Chocolate

So once again thank you for your generosity, I hope your Christmas was Merry and I dare you to have a brilliant 2008...thats what I intend to do.

Saturday 22nd December 2007

"In the absence of this weeks episode of Robin Hood, I thought, I might send a final Christmas message. The main purpose of this is to say a heartfelt thanks for all your wonderful gifts and cards which I have received from all over the world. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is always overwhelming. I will try and get round to writing 'thank you' letters in the New Year, but predicting that next year, I may be spread very thinly ,I am going to say thank you here.

Thankyou for:

UBS fan to keep me cool whilst on my mac!
“The Prophet” by Kahil Gibran
Pens and more pens, stickers and pen case
The Royal Philharmonic Classic Collection
Fairtrade Chocs
Nail Clippers and case.
Scots dictionary
Mini Wooden Cello and Bow (having trouble getting it between my legs: as the actress said to the bishop; its very small….about 3 inches…I need a mini chair to sit at….no really, don’t even think about it !!!!) Chocolate money (in a Swiss chocolate bank account!!) Mahler Symphony no 5 (one of my favorites) Beaded Chokers. (someone wants to choke me!!) Anaheim “Ducks” Hockey T shirt…..Go Ducks!!! South Park ‘Armitage back catalogue T Shirt’ ( I have to say this made me crease with laughter, many of the characters I have played immortalised as ‘South Park’ cartoons! Seriously worth marketing, If I didn’t love it so much I would auction this for Charity. Big choc’s and prosseco (favourite tipple of the moment!) Choccy Heart (meltable!!) Home made Choccy Gizzy Advent Calender (considered giving this to a little 3 year year old who is very close to my heart (the real one not the choccy one)  but Christmas is about love and good will and the terror of seeing Gisborne’s face instead of baby Jesus, dissuaded me!! 2 Mosquito nets for babies in Africa via Oxfam Unicef Tree decoration
A donation of  £276 to a Slovakian Childrens home from the Austrian and German fans. A folder packed with cards from the German message board. Many other cards and gifts from Austria, Canada, USA, Czech republic, Belgium, Australia. The Moon….Mars.…..Snickers…..Uranus….NO don’t start all that!

If I forgot anyone else, I am sorry, it may not have reached me yet. I have the usual apology to make about getting photo requests out in time for gifts. The “Director of Armitage Fan base Central” is treading a very fine line. She has selfishly opted to stuff turkeys and wrap gifts instead of attending to her duties. She may well be collecting her P45 in the new year!!!! (Mums the word!)

So it only remains for me to wish you all Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and hope filled New Year.
Here’s to  2008!

Much love

Richard

ps A very special thank you to the administrators and organisers of the AA and RAonline sites, It is such an priviledge for me to have your skilled work and dedication. Thankyou.

 Monday 3rd December 2007

Hi everyone this is  a little message to greet you all with good cheer and high spirits as we approach the Christmas period.

I have had some requests for various posts and so I am asking you all to congratulate the “Loose400lbs by Christmas Challenge” ladies (and gents?) for reaching their target. Personally I can loose £400 extremely quickly this time of year especially when the bubbly is flowing and I just can’t help buying everyone a drink!! Which leads me on to talk about charity.

I usually mention a couple of charities that I donate to at this time of the year, in case anyone else, feeling a bit bewildered with everything we do to make ourselves comfortable at Christmas, when there are some people who have nothing. I think this year I would like to suggest Oxfam (because this is a global charity and members from abroad can take part) the DEC Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal and Shelter. So at least when we are stuffing our faces on Christmas Day we might just help someone else to find a meal; and when we are tucked up in bed on Christmas Eve with the central heating ready to kick in, we can dream that we might have helped someone find a bed for the night, so they can wake up and feel safe and secure for at least one morning of the year. I am sure many of you always give help and its not necessarily the financial donations that are best. Time and personal care is often priceless.

Just to come back down to earth though, I WILL be stuffing my face, but only to make my Mum happy!!

I know some of you are wondering about future projects so I will try to fill you in a little. Richard III is still very much in development, I am weighed down with history books in my determination to uncover as much fact as possible before we embark on telling his story, which will ultimately be a fiction! There is also another project on the cards but unfortunately it has to remain top secret until it is officially confirmed, although there is a clue in that statement! So that’s all I can say for now, sadly the ‘Havoc Tour’ rock album will have to wait, until I can learn to play the guitar properly, I can’t seriously cut into a heavy metal ‘middle eight’ with a flute solo can I?

I hope that you are enjoying  Robin Hood. the final few episodes should keep the blood circulating!! Thank you for your continued support this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS XXX

Monday 27th August 2007

Wow You Guys,
(Thats me practicing my American colloquialisms also known as 'I am astonished at your messages') As you know, I try not to celebrate my birthday or at least not the last 2 digits of it. So thanks to every one who send HUGE number 3*'s in the post and on screen. Strangely as I tried to look at the HUGE number, I got some dust in my eye and just couldn't focus on it properly, so sadly another year will have to pass with me acknowledging my mental age rather than actual age. I think you will agree I am pretty eloquent and surprisingly tall for a 6 year old.
Seriously, your messages are really lovely and I am very moved that you all take the time to write something. Budapest has finally cooled down a bit now so Guy no longer has a lobster coloured face, a strange sloshing sound that accompanies his walk and ice packs sticking out of any available space...not very much available! Here is a big list of 'thankyou's' for all your gifts and cards, there were quite a few and I won't be able to mention everyone but thanks for Engraved letter opener all the way from Oz Video of Edinburgh Books "Agent Zigzag, Budapest 360o, "Where the Curlews Call" Chocolates Polos Mexican Bookmark T shirts ,Ties, Beer mat, Leo Birthstone Donations to Barardos, The Smile Train, Oxfam many cards from all over the world Cuddly Toy, 28 piece dinner service..... didn't I do well!!!!

Last one was a joke...it was 26 piece!!!
I am overwhelmed with your generosity and support.
Much Love
Richard

Friday 27th July 2007

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING
BUDAPEST
JULY 2007

The Hungarian government would like to issue some practical advice for survival
during the extreme heat conditions currently being experienced in the capital.

a,We recommend that you drink lots of water

b,We recommend staying in the shade and not moving around too much.

c,What we do NOT recommend, in fact we absolutely advice against is: dressing head
to toe in black leather, in an enormous polystyrene box  with numerous blazing
furnace/braziers/torches, and fans designed to cool which , in fact, unexpectedly
create the worlds largest FAN ASSISTED OVEN: all cunningly disguised as "Nottingham
Castle". This kind of practice is highly irresponsible and could result in the
roasting of internal organs. Should you find yourself in this rare and undesirable
situation and you smell something cooking, please refer to points a, and b, for
immediate relief.

NB. The addition of LARGE LEATHER CLOAKS and HOT AND BOTHERED ANGRY HORSE could
exacerbate point c, and in this ridiculous and illegal situation we recommend you
refer to point d,e, or f,

d,hide

e,call agent

f,think of loved ones taking Gondolas to work along the M5 and count yourself lucky!!!

Its quite hot here!!!
Love
Richard
XXX

Tuesday 22nd May 2007

Hello all,

Hi there, just a quick thank you to everyone who came to show their support at the BAFTAS, some people , I gather, stood outside the Palladium from 8am!!! Also, thank you to everyone who cast a vote for the Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special. Despite reports, I gather the vote was very close so your efforts were not wasted. Back in a sweltering Budapest, leather is really tedious in this heat, I must have a word about getting Gisborne some Summer Kit! Much love and thanks once again for your support, sorry if I didn't manage to get to sign everyones autographs. RA.

Sunday 29th April 2007

Hello there from Budapest,

Just a fleeting visit to say I hope you enjoy Marie Lloyd on 9th May, apologies if I am unable to make it back for GMTV, things are quite busy here and it's not always possible to get back in time. So I wanted to introduce you to a new way of communicating with you. I have decided to post messages on thearmitagearmy.co.uk, richardarmitageonline.com and richard-armitage.com. (gosh that all sound a bit narcicistic!) Anyway, there has been much debate in recent weeks about updating the official site. So Lisa and I have decided that no one site will be termed official. This is no reflection on Lisa's work but simply because when, after much deliberation, I decided to accept Lisa's offer of being official, we had no idea that demand would grow in the way it did. I think if something is termed 'official' then people expect a 'service' and some kind of 'duty' to update the site. This was never the intention, I always wanted Lisa to do what she did through pleasure not pressure. So I will be communicating with you through all three sites, then hopefully there can be some support between them, and more of a united feeling.

I have decided not to post on message boards as I feel these are places of free speech and more informal, again this is no reflection on their content and I have asked the three sites to communicate and link between each other , also to try and find some unity.

Just on the subject of message boards, I have had a few complaints about an 'adult only Gisborne page'.....I have no idea where this is or who is posting, and if it were any other character I would say, go for it and have a laugh, but it occurred to me that Gisborne is one character who is particularly associated with a show aimed at young people. So I would just ask you to bear in mind that these young people will always manage to get access to a site if they want and I would hate to think there was some content that they may find disturbing. Please continue to have fun but just be thoughtful.

Anyway, that's just a bit of admin out of the way. I must say season 2 is shaping up well, so far, I can't reveal any more that that but lets just say each 45 mins is like a mini action movie the BBC are certainly pulling out all the stops!

Must dash but I thought I would give you a little Zen poem to help you start the day.

This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.

- The Buddha's Words on Kindness (Metta Sutta)

Love
Richard.

Thanks to Lisa and Richard for the older messages

Saturday, 7 April 2007

Friday, 22 December 2006

Greetings from a Budapest Beach

Wednesday, 14 December 2005

Thursday, 28 July 2005

Friday, 8 April 2005

Thursday, 24 February 2005

Monday, 13 December 2004

A Personal Thank You from Richard Armitage

I want to thank everyone for the unbelievable response to North and South it is quite overwhelming but warmly received. It was such a huge pleasure to make and I am thrilled that it has given you pleasure to watch. Although it seemed like endless doom and gloom we managed to have a lot of laughs during filming...there is a catalogue of outtakes which are hilarious which will no doubt find it's way up Aunties Bloomers!!

  I am amazed at the way in which you have all picked up on the very fine details we were all working towards, even subliminal moments which I though were secret and would pass unnoticed have been observed. Thank you.

 I am taking Danni out for a pie and a pint before Christmas to congratulate he on her amazing performance, I miss her and it will be great to catch up.

 I will try to keep you posted on future projects...Malice a Forethought is likely to be released early next year. I play along side Lucy Brown (aka Anne Latiner) Bill Chatford is a cruel misogynist who lays into his unfortunate wife, it's set in the late 20's so there are lots of Enid Blyton type bicycling picnics in wrinkly stockings (not me obviously!) and croquet on the lawn in funny hats!! Hilarious.

 So, I want to wish you all a merry Christmas, I will eventually read all your comments but thanks for your support and commitment.