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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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 ↗

Lemn Sissay

Also my most triumphant: 2017 at the Royal Court. Julie Hesmondhalgh reads my psychologist’s report over two hours. Every excruciating intimate word of it. Extreme verbatim theatre. One night only.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 October 2023 source ↗

Michelle Visage

I don’t get embarrassed.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 January 2024 source ↗

Marcus Mumford

One of the first TV appearances that our band made in America, on the Craig Ferguson show. I forgot the lyrics to Little Lion Man and then broke two strings.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 February 2026 source ↗