PA PROFILE
UIfastforward seven films between 1973-85 from Live and Let Die
through to View to a Kill) and first met the man himself
when he was writing Roger Moore, His Films and Career
with co-author Oliver Bayan. At that time Doris Spriggs,
Moore’s PA for 29 years, decided to retire so Moore
asked him if he’d be interested in the job. For a Bond fan
it didn’t take too much thinking about: “It would give me
a steady income and allow me time to continue my writ-
ing on quieter days” explains Gareth, something his new
boss was completely relaxed about.
But what does Gareth’s role entail? In 1991, Moore
was living in Switzerland and after hearing a talk by his
then neighbour Audrey Hepburn, he became an ambas-
sador for UNICEF, something that would from here on
in take a large amount of his time. “He’s incredibly prac-
tical about it” says Gareth “he believes that if he is to
speak with any authority on the plight of children in a
war torn country, then he should have at least seen what
it’s like first-hand. He’s very practical about his work.
Before each trip, he’ll contact UNICEF and ask what the
objectives are and how UNICEF would like him to help.” autobiography of an international film star? With a
Does Gareth spend his time at outrageously glamorous world tour of course. Does the PA get to go? Yes – Owen
evenings, and hob nobbing with the rich and famous, we and Moore spent two weeks touring the UK, two weeks
wonder? “Yes, Lady Kristina Moore invited me to Roger’s in Paris and New York and then Moore went on by him-
79th birthday party. There were 12 of us around the table self to Australia; Hong Kong; Oslo; Amsterdam; Helsinki;
including Michael Caine, Joan Collins, Bryan Forbes and Hamburg... not bad for a man just turned 81. The two
Michael Winner. When he turned 80, UNICEF threw a teamed up at book signings – Owen prepped the book
surprise party for him in New York. I had to invent a reason and Moore signed it.
I wasn’t in the office that day (he was on a trans-atlantic This all sounds a little too glamorous – surely even
flight) so I told him I had food poisoning. Roger was terri- when your boss is on her Majesty’s secret service the aver-
bly concerned by this and emailed advice to a friend of age working day is somewhat boring and more routine?
mine. That was a good night.” When he was knighted in “Roger spends most of his time between Monaco and
2003 amongst others, Sean Connery, David Niven, Peter Switzerland and we talk on Skype four or five times a day. I
Ustinov and David Frost came – a chance for Gareth to have to arrange a lot of travel itineraries – usually visits to
meet childhood heroes and something that Moore can raise awareness of UNICEF’s work or field trips so he can
probably understand: “When Roger was younger, he grew personally see what’s happening in a particular place
up watching stars like Gregory Peck and David Niven and before he speaks about it later.” Gareth also helps look after
then ended up being friends with them” explains Gareth. the official Sir Roger Moore website www.roger-moore.com
Unlike most PAs, Gareth ended up ghost writing his and does a fair bit of research while still meeting with the
boss’ autobiography. “Lady Kristina Moore asked me to boss regularly: “We lunch in London regularly and I will
help Roger get a biography written” – apparently he’d often fly out to Monaco or Switzerland and stay with him.”
resisted doing it all his life – “so we started work on My In fact, Gareth has his own place in the South of France
Word is my Bond.” The book took eight months to write near Cannes and takes long weekends there when he can.
and was published in 2008. And how do you promote the Anyone else up for a job swap yet?
Gareth clearly enjoys working for Moore and the two
share a relaxed working relationship. “He’s actually a
very nice guy. He’s got a great sense of humour and we
have fun together” he says. “We were about to do an
interview on Good Morning America when Seann
William Scott (a.k.a. Stifler from American Pie) and Paul
Wood came over and said ‘Hi’. Roger asked later ‘Who
the hell are they?’ I told him ‘famous film stars – like you
used to be’. Moore (hopefully while raising one eyebrow)
retorted ‘I’ll fire him later’”. Does Moore ever lose his
temper? “No. He’s always very polite. Even when strand-
ed at an airport in Sweden and then refused entry to a
lounge he rang me and asked quite calmly, ‘Gareth, do me
a favour and write a very nasty letter of complaint’”.
On the topic of working with such a cinema legend
Gareth is well aware of how lucky he is to have landed
this position: “Not many people could get a job like this.
You can’t set out to be a PA for Roger Moore, it’s some-
thing I’ve fallen into but that I really enjoy. We are good
friends, not that I’ll forget that he is my boss but, you
know, we’re mates.”
E
10 » www.executivepa.com » Feb/Mar 2010
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