Adam Kay: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Adam Kay

British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

A reviewer once called me “artistically bankrupt”, and it doesn’t feel like reviews can get much worse than that.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Chaka Khan American singer

A friend said, “If you remembered everything you did, you’d kill yourself.” He’s sort of crazy, but he’s probably right.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 May 2024 source ↗

“Do you know what your problem is?” It was a dear friend of mine. They were referring to the fact that I’m impatient.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 September 2025 source ↗

I’m not interested.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 May 2026 source ↗

Stockard Channing

“Let’s face it, you’re not Ingrid Bergman.” I was 19 and he was a potential boyfriend. My only thought at the time was: “I’m not?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 August 2026 source ↗

More from Adam Kay

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Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

In the one photo I’ve seen where my smile looks convincing – I’m four years old, so I’m guessing then. But I just won a Bafta and that felt amazing, too. So, roughly every 40 years.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

A comedy gig at an army barracks for thousands of angry, horny squaddies just back from six months in the desert. I was on straight after the stripper.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

When my cold toes drain the heat from his warm ones, but he doesn’t mind at all and is happy for our tarsal temperatures to meet in the middle.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I’ve never been upgraded on a plane.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

People who barge into a lift instead of standing aside for anyone exiting should be dipped in kerosene and fired into the sun.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

I could have done without being sexually assaulted, or having an eating disorder, or pushing myself to breaking point, but every chapter of my life brought me here.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

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