Midge Ure: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? — FLAPSS

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

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

MU

Midge Ure

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Carol Vorderman, because she’s stuck her head above the parapet to try to hold our bizarre politicians to account.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Person Carol Vorderman

Others on this question

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Reece Shearsmith British actor, comedian and writer

There's a man at the tube who hands out ShortList magazine. He has never given up trying to make me take one. I admire that.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2014 source ↗

Joely Richardson British actress

The elderly, because it takes courage to get through the day when there isn’t some glorious future ahead.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2015 source ↗

Fran Lebowitz American author and public speaker

At the moment, Ukraine’s president.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 June 2022 source ↗

Anyone brave enough to truly be themselves.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

More from Midge Ure

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Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Those mad thoughts. Did you turn off the air fryer? Have I booked my plane for tomorrow?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

Other people get sad.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Sitting on the fence – I will do anything to avoid confrontation.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Apathy, either from an audience, the people around me or myself.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

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

Content, assured, indecisive.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

A 28ft motorboat, which sat in the water for two years because I was so busy working.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

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