My Baby Just Wrote Me a Letter

When I discovered the messages Richard Armitage had written to his fan collective, I became very excited!

more excited, less stylish (I was in my pajamas)

These messages reinforced the kind of person I suspected he was already, while also giving me a peek at some new aspects of his personality I had yet to encounter.

 

Richard Armitage is sweet and silly.

The majority of the messages are in response to the never ending support the fan base has given Richard through the years, which he is extremely grateful for. The bulk of the content is repeated apologies for not sending individual Thank-Yous for gifts received. Some of the gifts mentioned I found particularly unique, but Richard emphasizes his appreciation for all of them.

“I don’t think any of your gifts are WEIRD, I love them all.”

He often painstakingly highlighted each gift individually, while other times he gave a more generalized Thank-You; silly commentary almost always included.

“Many other cards and gifts from Austria, Canada, USA, Czech republic, Belgium, Australia…The Moon…Mars…Snickers…Uranus…NO don’t start all that!”

Another way he showed his appreciation was by looking out for his followers and trying to protect them, as best he could, from afar.

I would and have never “ridiculed” any fan for their dedication, I have always corrected interviewers when they talk about “crazed fans”, I make sure they understand the respect and intelligence with which most of you all conduct yourselves. I am mortified that this has somehow been misinterpreted, but take responsibility for this and will stand firm in the face of future ridicule.

we’re all in this together

He even went so far as to apologize directly for the infamous relationship article, expressing his sincere regret for revealing those very personal things; not in embarrassment for himself, but rather for how the article may have affected his fans.

“The arena which I work in trades with this kind of information currency, I intend to be a spendthrift in future.”

So when he pointed out his love for Keane’s Hamburg Song, because “if you listen you might understand why”, it’s clear that he truly was sharing a part of himself.

Richard Armitage is wise.

One of my favorite excerpts from these messages was written in response to drama within the fandom. Jealousy had reared it’s ugly head and a dispute arose about which sites were receiving the letters and why.

we’re only human

What Richard said in response touched me so deeply that I now have it written down and close at hand, as a personal reminder during my daily online activities.

 

“I just ask you to look after each other, that’s 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 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)

Keep up the good work and SHINE.”

Truly words to live by.

you help me shine, Richard

Richard Armitage is creative.

During the filming of Robin Hood, he mentioned how hot it was in Budapest that summer. He illustrated this fact by sharing a (faux) Health decree issued by the government listing several warnings including: not to dress “head to toe in black leather”, and comparing the castle where filming was taking place to an oven that could roast internal organs. The situation was “ridiculous and illegal”.

Guy should be ridiculously illegal

During the filming of Spooks/MI-5 Richard was prevented from corresponding because of the (made up) accusations claiming that the letters had not come from the real RA; this eventually led to his (fake) arrest for “fan abandonment”.

“It’s not true, I always wrote everything myself. I even put in bad grammar, spelling and inappropriate humour to appear more down to Earth.”

inappropriate humour? like (in thanks for a particular gift):

“Mini Wooden Cello and Bow (having trouble getting it between my legs: as the actress said to the bishop)”

This was all relayed by a “Spooksperson”

These messages represented what I had already come to know of  Richard Armitage: he was a gentle man, who excelled creatively.

 

What I had only gotten a glimpses of, up until that point though, was that the man is just plain funny!

re: the Keane song, just liked the song really. Good job I didn’t mention “Smack my Bitch up” by Prodigy (No, not one of my favorites!)

(that one cracks me up every time!)

It seems that Harry’s cheekiness came naturally.