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Now. I am father to Albert, seven, and Esme, six. I’ve never experienced happiness as complete as caring for them.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 October 2019 source ↗
The question
What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?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.
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Others on this question
View all 577 →Mornings. Playing music, fresh coffee, dippy eggs and soldiers, my girlfriend – what’s not to love?
Ashley Walters
British actor and rapper
My primary school years.
On stage with my band.
Eddie Izzard
British comedian and actress
Living in Bangor, County Down, because my mum was still alive. She died when I was six.
More from Christopher Eccleston
View profile →Falling off the stage in the third preview of Macbeth at the RSC.
As a loving father.
Elsie Eccleston, my mother, for her emotional intelligence, kindness, intense curiosity, and chicken and leek pies.
During my severe clinical depression in 2016. I was at Piccadilly station in Manchester and a train was coming.
A little more spiritual enlightenment.
I think I’ve only really experienced it on a parental level, and it feels like the rhythm of nature.
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