'Do it again!': George Clooney jokes with staff as he visits Edinburgh cafe which helps the homeless

George Clooney is surrounded by media and fans as he arrives at a Social Bite cafe in Edinburgh Credit: PA

Hollywood actor and director George Clooney has visited Edinburgh after accepting an invitation to meet workers at a cafe which helps the homeless.

ITV News Scotland correspondent Debi Edward reports:

Clooney met staff at the Social Bite cafe, a chain of sandwich shops that employs people who were once homeless, and donates all its profits to charity.

Social Bite operates a "suspended" coffee and food programme where customers can pay for a hot drink or food for a homeless person.

Clooney talks to fans who had queued to meet him outside the cafe Credit: PA

As the concept was explained to the star, he joked with a staff member, encouraging her to make sure she got in the picture as photographers captured the visit.

"Otherwise, you don't get in the shot, it's just your hand or something, we don't want that!", he said.

Clooney smiles as he is greeted inside the cafe. Credit: Pool

The 54-year-old heartthrob even found time to fit in a lunch date with wedding planner Heather McGowan, who won a competition to meet the A-lister.

Ms McGowan said the whole experience "seems a bit surreal, now that it's over" but she enjoyed spending time with the star.

She even managed to talk business with him by quizzing him over his recent wedding, she said.

Clooney even found time during his visit to snap a selfie with his lunch date Credit: itison/PA Wire

She said: "The first question I asked him was about his wedding and what involvement he had in that.

"He said he pretty much got involved as much as he could but at the end of the day you can only take a certain amount of questions about napkin rings before you lose your cool.

"He is the most charming man. I was really hoping he was going to be charming and amazing and he was above and beyond that. He was brilliant.

"Everyone that was in there was absolutely captivated by every word that he had to say."

Clooney's lucky lunch date may have been nervous but she still managed to sneak in a kiss with the star Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The Hollywood star shared lunch with Heather McGowan who picked his brain about his recent wedding Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Clooney was also due to speak at the Scottish Business Awards in front of a sold-out, 2,000-strong audience.

All proceeds from the event, hosted by comedian Rob Brydon, will go towards a range of charities including the Social Bite Fund and the humanitarian charity co-founded by Clooney with fellow actors Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and others.

George Clooney plays around as he takes a group picture with staff members. Credit: Pool
George Clooney takes a selfie with staff Credit: PA
One staff member has this as a keepsake
Wedding planner Heather McGowan hopes to speak to Clooney his nuptials last year. Credit: Reuters