And so another sad celebrity death. Heath Ledger was only a few months older than me. I never met him. I only saw a handful of his movies. But still it's a shock, isn't it? Perhaps because it's a reminder of our collective mortality. If someone my age with success and money and fame can slip out of our world, maybe I could be me next. But then there's also the fact that actors and musicians and the like become part of our world. Part of our memories and experiences.

It's the springtime of 2004. I was at my girlfriend L's flat in West London. We didn't go out for that long, but she was always fun to hang out with. We were just chilling out on a Sunday afternoon together, sat going through the papers on her sofa, with the windows wide open, letting in the sunshine. Let's watch a movie. Something trashy, undemanding, fun. L cheekily suggests A Knight's Tale, fully in the knowledge that I know she adores Heath Ledger, the lead. I pretend to agree reluctantly, but the movie is perfect. Funny, entertaining, and far better than i was expecting.

So before the acclaimed roles, Heath Ledger became, for a brief afternoon, part of my story. He was my girlfriend's crush, and I enjoyed winding her up about it and indulging her in it, and it was cute. I still remember it clearly, and probably always will. It was one of those moments where you feel wonderfully content in someone else's company. It wasn't a special occasion, just an afternoon away from the troubles of the world, with someone lovely to share it with. In some small way, he played a part in that moment.

I saw him recently in the Dylan biopic I'm Not There. And he was superb. His onscreen chemistry with Charlotte Gainsbourg was absolutely electric. We all talked afterwards about how we were looking forward to seeing him as The Joker in the new Batman movie. And now he's gone and died, as people do. And it's a shame. RIP.