Charlie Higson: 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.

CH

Charlie Higson

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Three mature palm trees. We restored a property in Italy that had been derelict and I needed to make it look established as quickly as I could.

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

Others on this question

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Sara Cox English broadcaster

My half-electric Volvo.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 August 2019 source ↗

Emilia Fox English actress and presenter

A birthday present I hoped would mean a lot to the person. I had their family history researched and a book made.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 October 2018 source ↗

Sofia Helin Swedish actress

I spend most money on my garden.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 September 2020 source ↗

Michael Stipe American singer

A page from Jim Morrison’s final notebook – I bought it as a birthday gift for a friend.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 January 2020 source ↗

More from Charlie Higson

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Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

I used to give a fantastic talk about Frankenstein and Dracula, but I’ve never been able to finish either book.

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

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Aggression. Anger. Rudeness. Intolerance. Lack of understanding. Pretty much your average day on X.

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

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

All the kids I didn’t reply to who’ve written lovely letters about my books.

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

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

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 ↗

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

I’m a classic remoaner.

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

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

Middle-class wanker.

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

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