Mary Portas: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

Originally asked

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

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

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

Mary Portas

English retail consultant

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Now. Without a doubt

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2012 source ↗

Others on this question

Samuel L Jackson American actor

When I first got sober, in 1990.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 December 2011 source ↗

Richard Osman English TV presenter and writer

Probably when Fulham beat Juventus 4-1 in the Europa League.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 June 2016 source ↗

When: I finish a good scene. Where: looking back, in the navy.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, February 2011 source ↗

Joely Richardson British actress

At work, my happiest moments are between “action” and “cut”. I am also very happy when justice is done, and when camping.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2015 source ↗

Not being able to take up my place at Rada.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2012 source ↗

My wife, Melanie. She's had real trauma and loss in her life, yet she starts every day with joy, and sees the world as a good place

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2012 source ↗

Search the directory for somebody in particular.