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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Sophie McCoid

Most memorable celeb moments at Aintree Grand National festival through the years

The Grand National Festival at Aintree is one of the highlights of the celebrity calendar.

The world's greatest steeplechase annually attracts many of the great and the good.

From WAGs to actors and sports stars, anyone who's anyone has been spotted at Aintree over the years.

The festival has even attracted royalty, with the festival a particular favourite of the late Queen Mother - with a stand named after her.

And "Queen Coleen" is also a regular feature - with the wife of Wayne Rooney rarely missing a Ladies Day with her family and friends.

So ahead of the 2019 festival kicking off in style we decided to take a look back at just some of the most memorable celebrity moments from the festival over the decades.

Here's some of the most unforgettable celebrity moments at Aintree.

Conor McGregor

 

In 2017 there were rumours the UFC star Conor McGregor would be attending the Grand National.

But as the day passed by it seemed like Chinese Whispers, as the Irishman failed to appear.

And then out of nowhere McGregor and his entourage arrived.

Flouting the strict Aintree style code McGregor strode into the racecourse wearing an unbuttoned Louis Vuitton shirt, cream pants and silver trainers.

A truly iconic moment and with his week of partying that followed - one that will never be forgotten.

Pete Price being called a lizard

 

In 2017 a few hours into Ladies Day, an Aintree punter shouted "you're a lizard" as Pete was on camera being interviewed.

In scenes which could have featured on Pete's 'peaceful hour', the ECHO columnist was in a forgiving mood and simply gave his heckler a hug.

But a classic meltdown wasn't far away.

I'm not a lizard! - Pete Price

As Pete was en route to Aintree station at the end of Friday's racing, he was collared on video and asked whether he was a lizard.

After initially trying to dodge the question and fend off being filmed, Pete snapped and bellowed "I AM NOT A LIZARD" several times in full focus of the camera.

The clip was posted to Twitter and has been retweeted thousands of times.

Queen Coleen's style reign

Coleen is a true Aintree icon - with the mum-of-four rarely missing the event.

Through the years Coleen has worn a multitude of outfits - even attending when she was pregnant. Her outfits have regularly hit the headlines, as she showcased a number of styles.

Here's just some of the dresses she's donned over the years.

2018- Coleen took son Kai to the races, as she wore a classic black dress and heels.

2016 - Coleen wore a vibrant orange number, with an almost cape-like detail.

2009 - A fresh faced Coleen wore a pink dress with black accessories

Alex Gerrard bringing full on WAG glamour

Alex is also a regular Aintree attendee, here she is 12 years ago - before her marriage to Steven Gerrard

And in 2012...

Paddy and Christine McGuinness's show of affection

Paddy and Christine McGuinness are regulars at Aintree - with Christine saying it's the pair's annual couples day out.

The pair can usually be spotted in the Queen Mother's stand on Grand National Day.

Last year all eyes were on the couple as Aintree was one of the first times they were spotted together after their marital problems.

The couple cheered on the horses as they enjoyed a day out for the Grand National (Sunday Mirror)

The pair have since come through their difficulties and are expected to attend Aintree this year - if Paddy's filming commitments allow.

Cilla Black cheering on her winners

Our Cilla had a ball at Aintree in 2014, with lifelong pal Cliff Richard, she looks like she had a few winners!

Royal outings

Royalty are a regular feature at the Grand National - with Charles and Diana visiting the course in 1982.

The former couple were papped watching with racing - with Diana wearing a stunning red coat and hat.

The Queen and Queen Mother were famously spotted at the course in 1956 - watching the racing take place.

Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Tindall are also National regulars.

Here's Princess Anne in 2014 giving Grand National winner Leighton Aspell his trophy.

And here's Zara in 2016 wearing a stunning red coat and white accessories.

Footballers taking a break from training

Footballers are often spotted at Aintree, with Jamie Carragher a particular regular.

The former Liverpool FC defender & Sky Sports presenter was spotted arriving at Aintree on Ladies Day in 2018.

Robbie Fowler has also been spotted at the festival - here's the sun shining on him in 2012.

And Kenny Dalglish is also a regular fixture at the races - spotted almost every year on the course.

Reality stars making themselves known

Big Brother star Lisa Appleton wowed crowds with her 'sexy Zorro' look in 2017.

Speaking to the ECHO about her outfit choice Lisa said: "I've been called Zorro today and basically it's because I've had some treatments on my face, some more surgery and I'm not allowed to reveal it yet.

"I'd love to wear a hat, I'd love to wear a hairpiece, but today I'm wearing a mask."

Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Dawn Ward, Seema Malhotra, Rachel Lugo and Nermina Pieters-Mekic were all spotted at the famous course in 2017.

Racegoers spend months planning their outfits for Aintree's Grand National festival. Pictured:The Real Housewives of Cheshire with Love Island and TOWIE stars (PA)

Wearing an array of pink and blue dresses the girls looked fabulous, with their hair perfectly coiffed for the races.

They were joined by TOWIE stars Shelby Tribble and Celia Theodorou and Love Island star Kady McDermott.

Other TOWIE stars including Chloe Lewis, Chloe Meadows and Courtney Green were all spotted enjoying the hospitality on course.

The stars wore outfits from Topshop at Outfit and looked stunning in their classic ensembles.

Former Prime Minister John Major getting in the spirit

Here's a very retro inclusion, John Major and his wife Norma watch on anxiously as the Grand National unfolds before them - over TWENTY years ago.

Danielle Lloyd looking stylish

Danielle is another regular at the races, over the years she's sported several eye-catching outfits.

Here she is in 2014, in a stunning red dress and fascinator.

 

And in 2012 she picked a blue and black dress to impress her fans.

Kym Marsh and Anthony Cotton taking a break from the Cobbles

It's eleven years since this Corrie pair took to the stands to watch their horses come in, haven't they both changed!

Jennifer Ellison posing for pictures

Another historic snap here, Jennifer Ellison was spotted cosying up to racegoers in 2008 - ELEVEN years ago!

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