Charles Collingwood: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

CC

Charles Collingwood

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

In an audition at the Royal Court, this man called out, “Were you trained?”

The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Maya Jama British television and radio presenter

That I wouldn’t be successful. Joke’s on them, I guess.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2023 source ↗

Liev Schreiber American actor

“Not interested.” Who? Many people.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 September 2024 source ↗

Chaka Khan American singer

A friend said, “If you remembered everything you did, you’d kill yourself.” He’s sort of crazy, but he’s probably right.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 May 2024 source ↗

That I am a terrible actor.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2023 source ↗

More from Charles Collingwood

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Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

My childhood. I was an only child, happy and secure, and there was always plenty of time to play cricket.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

If you’d asked me last year, I would have said a knee replacement.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

Watching the Festival of Remembrance last autumn.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

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

My beautiful silver Jaguar XKR soft-top.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

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

When my mother died in my arms, I feel I witnessed her spirit leaving her body, so let’s just wait and see.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

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

I talk too much.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

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