Alex Hassell: What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

This exact question recurs in The Guardian's institutional Q&A pool.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Not playing Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire. I am a huge Brando fan and a big Tennessee Williams fan and it’s a part I would love to have a go at. It’s possible I still could but I’m too old, really.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 May 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 367 →

Sam Neill New Zealand actor

My complete ineptitude at sport.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 June 2016 source ↗

Tony Ross British writer of children's books

Being continually overlooked in awards ceremonies and honours lists.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 April 2013 source ↗

du Beke English dancer and TV presenter

Not doing as well as I’d hoped in dancing competitions. I was massively competitive and massively disappointed most of the time. It’s the same now.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 December 2019 source ↗

Jane Asher English actress and author

Fine dining when it goes wrong.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 May 2023 source ↗