Giovanna Fletcher: When were you most embarrassed?

The question

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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

At the TV Baftas last year I was wearing these heels that had stiff bows on the front. One heel locked into the other bow and I went arse over tit.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Rory Stewart

Having somebody pull my judo trousers down at a competition when I was seven. And finding I wasn’t wearing any pants.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2026 source ↗

Su Pollard

Gloria Hunniford’s wedding at Hever Castle 20-odd years ago. We had a lovely buffet and a few drinks and then I had to get a cab back to the train station. I said to the driver: “I’m ever so sorry, but I’m not going to be able to hang on till I get to the train. Could you possibly take me down this alleyway?” He said: “Yes, of course.” As I prepared myself to go “to the ladies”, this police car came along and the policeman said: “Hi-de-Hi!”

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

Imogen Poots

I once asked a young woman if she had ever heard of the musician Laura Marling, insinuating I knew Laura Marling, to which she replied: “I am Laura Marling.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2024 source ↗

Brandi Carlile