Chelsea were a glamour-club long before the Premier League materialised, sprinkling its stardust and attracting billionaire owners.
As the Sixties swung, and a fabulous side containing the likes of Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson became known as the ‘Kings of King’s Road’, Hollywood royalty would flock to Stamford Bridge on a semi-regular basis.
Famously, screen siren Raquel Welsh was once in attendance, cheering Ossie on, when the cameras were clicking in her direction at least.
Lifelong fan Sir Richard Attenborough meanwhile would often bring along a famous pal. Steve McQueen took in a game. Clint Eastwood too. Even US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was once seen in SW10 on matchday.
These days the club boasts all manner of famous fans, from acting giants to cricketing heroes.
Sir Michael Caine
Sharing a flat with Terence Stamp and starring in Alfie and The Ipcress File, Caine personified the Swinging Sixties, a time when London was the cultural heartbeat of the world. Naturally then, the iconic actor was drawn to the coolest club around.
The two-time Oscar winner has put in the hard yards since, watching the Blues endure plenty of lean years until the arrival of Roman Abramovich in 2003 changed everything.
So devoted is the 92-year-old he retains a penthouse in Chelsea Harbour so as to attend games.
Jeremy Clarkson
The outspoken presenter-turned-farmer first followed the Blues aged ten, taking pride in being ‘Doncaster’s only Chelsea supporter’.
It was only when he started taking his son to the Bridge however that a long-held casual affiliation developed into an obsession. The former Top Gear star writes about them often for a Sunday newspaper. He tweets uncompromising opinions about the manager, players and opposition.
There is even footage of Clarkson drunk ahead of a Champions League final, airing disparaging remarks about rival fans. Sir Dickie Attenborough would never.
Damon Albarn
The Blur and Gorillaz singer is often spotted in West London, urging on his team. Indeed, he has been a season ticket holder for many a year.
Rarely is he a Charmless Man at matches, instead blending in with other fans, watching games To The End among the Girls & Boys of the West Stand.
Apologies for such awful puns. This Is A Low.
Gordon Ramsay
The fiery chef insists upon perfection when plating up his Michelin-starred grub. Does he demand a similar high bar to the football served up to him on a Saturday afternoon?
Probably not, with Ramsey starting out as a youth player for his boyhood club Rangers until injury cut short his aspirations. The Kitchen Nightmares star is well aware that food can be consistent whereas football is an altogether fickler beast.
Presently Chelsea are distantly priced in the football betting to win a sixth Premier League title this term.
Charlize Theron
In 2009 the Hollywood actress graced the pitch at the Pasadena Bowl to hold aloft a Chelsea shirt ahead of a pre-season friendly with Inter Milan. The acclaimed Oscar-winner has also been seen in SW10, cheering on the Blues, when filming in the UK.
Yet subsequent rumours have emerged that Theron is actually an Arsenal fan. Perhaps she just has a deep and sincere appreciation for Kai Havertz?
Kevin Pietersen
From trolling Arsenal fans to chastising his Chelsea brethren for being overly-critical of team performances, Pietersen doesn’t pull any shots on social media, opining like he played for England across a decade-long cricketing career.
Residing in Chelsea with his former pop star wife - Jessica Taylor of Liberty X – Pietersen counts Frank Lampard and John Terry as close friends.
Ellie Goulding
When the pop songstress dated Ed Sheeran it was apparently the norm for the pair to visit Stamford Bridge one weekend, then Portman Road the next.
Now, with no obligation to head east to Suffolk, Goulding devotes all of her footballing passion for the Blues, regularly taking selfies at home games.
Bryan Adams
Did Adams start his Chelsea odyssey in the summer of ’69? Well no, but his support goes back an awfully long way, all the same.
To 1985 in fact, when the croaky-voiced singer first took up residency in London, purchasing a property in Chelsea and taking in a game out of curiosity. He’s been a season ticket holder ever since.
To the Canadian’s enormous credit he eschews VIP treatment for sitting in the main stand, his low-key demeanour appreciated by the rest of the fans who don’t typically hassle him.
“All I get is ‘Awight mate’,” he remarked in a recent interview.
Will Farrell
The Anchorman star has recently distanced himself from the Blues, presumably because he is now a co-owner of LAFC in the MLS.
"I have to say I don't really have a side over here, I just enjoy following all the storylines,” he admitted, when pressed on a Premier League allegiance.
Yet numerous trips to the Bridge contradict that storyline, while the actor is certainly friends with several former players of the club. He even once claimed to have a hand in Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2015 after making a joke about the coach’s uber-defensive ways.
What we know for sure is that Farrell is a sports nut, attending ice hockey games and annually spotted at Wimbledon. He has even started rooting for Wrexham, in support of his friend Ryan Reynolds.
John Major
A well-worn – and unfounded – rumour has it that Bill Clinton is a Blue, travelling up to the capital when a student at Oxford University to cheer on the lads. Back then, Chelsea were often outsiders in the sports betting but were a stylish side and fun to watch.
There is also his daughter to consider, named of course, Chelsea.
Alas, none of it is true, but not to worry because the London giant does possess a former world leader among their supporting ranks all the same.
John Major’s first love may be cricket but he is a regular attendee at the Bridge.
