Mark Radcliffe: When were you most embarrassed?

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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

Mark Radcliffe

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

The Radio 1 breakfast show was an embarrassing moment that lasted for nine months.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Omid Djalili British stand-up comedian and actor

Sending a text meant for my wife to Dara O'Briain by mistake, revealing myself to be a control freak.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 August 2010 source ↗

Tamsin Greig

Throwing up all over the red velvet seats in the House of Lords on a school trip, aged nine.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 May 2025 source ↗

Michael Ball English singer, presenter and actor

During the technical rehearsal of Aspects of Love in 1989. They told me it would be discreetly lit because I was paranoid about being in just my pants. I walked on and every spotlight in the building followed me round the stage.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 May 2023 source ↗

Charlie Higson

I’ve shat myself in public three times. It’s never quite as bad as you fear.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗