Kelly Hoppen: 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

Years ago in a safari park in South Africa, and getting all dressed up for dinner. Walking across the lawn, I didn’t realise there was a swimming pool that hadn’t been lit and walked straight into the shallow end fully clothed. It still haunts me. I remember trying to get out as if no one would notice.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Jack Whitehall English comedian, actor, presenter and writer

I was bumped as a guest on The Justin Lee Collins show for Bianca from EastEnders.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 April 2023 source ↗

Lucy Beaumont

I worked with Stephen Fry recently and we had a real heart-to-heart. I asked: “What was it like being in prison for being gay?” And thank God someone came in and he didn’t hear me say it. I was mixing him up with when he played Oscar Wilde. I could picture him in his cell.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Helen Skelton

After the 2012 Olympics I hosted the parade. I had on a little skirt and when the prime minister came on everyone cheered. I thought: “Oh my God, they love David Cameron,” but they were cheering because my skirt had blown up, and I’d flashed my knickers at him.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Billy Crudup

Giving a speech in high school at a pep rally that wasn’t going so well and the dean unplugged the mic. Apparently, I was rambling and the spirit of the cafeteria was being weighed down.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 February 2026 source ↗