Miriam Margolyes: Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? — FLAPSS

The question

Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this standing prompt, with minor contractions and word-order variation.

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

MM

Miriam Margolyes

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Every time I got a lucrative voiceover, I bought a picture. The most expensive was by James Gillray.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Jason Derulo American singer and songwriter

A restaurant called Catch LA.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 October 2022 source ↗

Julian Sands British actor

A case of Chateau Margaux 59.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 May 2020 source ↗

Francesca Martinez British comedian

I don’t own a property. The carpet in our flat; it’s not fancy or anything.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 March 2020 source ↗

Nish Kumar British stand-up comedian and presenter

I have a Stratocaster, which is part of my long, doomed ambition to become Jimi Hendrix.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 February 2019 source ↗

More from Miriam Margolyes

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

On tour during Christmas vacation at Cambridge with its European Theatre Group, playing Shakespeare. I knew it was the best time of my life.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Facebook and the need to pee.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

To experience the utter powerlessness of locked-in syndrome.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

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

Never to have played at the National or the RSC.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Short. Fat. Jewish.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Glenda Jackson said I was an amateur during rehearsal for The White Devil at the Old Vic. I called her a cow, but that was inadequate.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

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