Charging as little as £2.49 for dishes at some of its outlets Wetherspoons does not have a reputation as a celebrity hangout. But eccentric chairman and founder Tim Martin believes there are a “lot of celebs who secretly like” having a budget-saving pint or plate of food at his boozers.

The Wetherspoon boss revealed to the Express he was aware of a number of A-listers who’ve popped in for a bite to eat. “The strangest one was in a place called East Dereham, East Anglia on a Sunday night [when] at 9 or 10 at night in walked John Travolta,” he told the Express.

“He ordered fish and chips and a pint. Apparently, he was the politest customer they've ever had. He called all the staff ‘sir’ and ‘madam’. So he's definitely welcome back.

“There was a report recently that U2 had a curry in our pub in Shepherd's Bush.

“[But] possibly the proudest moment was when Goldie Lookin Chain; the Welsh band wrote a song mentioning Wetherspoon's.”

Released in 2023, the track from the parody rap outfit is titled Is It Wetherspoons?

Martin himself is referenced in the line: “You can try and complain about the cheap booze. And the guy who owns it all with his questionable views.”

Not that Martin is bothered, he rates the song very highly.

“It's very funny,” he added. ”[The song is] up there with Yesterday and Saturday Night Fever. Classic band Goldie Lookin Chain. Don't miss them.”

When asked if he ever envisioned being immortalised in song when he took over his first pub in Muswell Hill, North London, in the late 1970s, Martin said he would have found it scarcely believable.

“I doubt that had actually crossed my consciousness, no, I think that would have been a bit far-fetched,” he added.

During his exclusive chat with the Express Martin revealed his own dream Wetherspoon's menu selections and all-time favourite drink.

The pub chain boss said a dream location he wanted to convert into a boozer was the House of Lords in Westminster.

“I went there once. It struck me it would make an excellent pub,” Martin explained. “At the heart of the action.”

He also spoke of regret for an aborted plan for Wetherspoon's to enter Europe and knocked back offers to enter the US market.

“I do see how some restaurant chains expanded abroad and wonder if we were too conservative,” Martin said.

He joked: “I'm hoping to work for another 45 years. So maybe there is time. Wetherspoon's can conquer the world.”