Miriam Margolyes: Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have 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.

Recorded Miriam Margolyes 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

A Biba dress when I really couldn’t afford it. It was every scrap of my money and I’ve never parted with it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 June 2025 source ↗

Nicola Walker British actress

Ten years ago I bought a painting. I lived with it for a year before realising I didn’t like it at all. So it’s on my wall, mocking me daily.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 January 2017 source ↗

Warwick Davis English actor

Our campervan. It’s fully kitted out, sleeps four and lowers down, so we can get in and out easily.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 November 2017 source ↗

A hand-painted beaded dress from New York. It weighs about 16lb and cost me £4,000, 30 years ago.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗