The question
How close have you come to dying?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
In 1995, I discovered I had two brain tumours. The process of having them removed went on for about three years. It was a long and drawn-out time, wondering whether or not I was going to die.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 July 2018 source ↗
A motorbike crash. I broke my shoulder and ribs and was so scared I didn’t ride for two years.
Always flying: we’ve had flights where the engine’s been on fire; where we’ve nose-dived.
I made a solo attempt at the Matterhorn in 1996 and came very close to falling. I waited until the dawn light came, so I could retrace my route, but I was hanging off my ice axes for 45 minutes.
Having a gun held to my head at a May Day rally during the revolution in Grenada. I was mistaken for a CIA agent.
Gary and I worked in a greengrocer’s on Saturdays and in the holidays. One of my jobs was cooking beetroot – it used to make me gag.
I wanted to play for Arsenal. When I have a kick-around with my boy, I still feel as if someone’s going to spot me.
Buzz Aldrin. I met him about 10 years ago and all I could do was look at his feet. What greater thing can you do than walk on the moon?
I cry all the time. The last time was at the end of Paddington 2. Shirlie was laughing her head off.
The births of my children, Harley Moon (28) and Roman (25).
Mathew Horne, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Julian Clary, Ed Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, Andy Serkis
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