Fearne Cotton: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

People have said, “I wish you would die.” That’s the stark truth of being in the public eye – people dehumanise you and say ghastly things.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Julian Lloyd Webber British cellist and conductor

When the surgeon told me I wouldn’t be able to play the cello again, in 2013. I have a herniated disc and it’s pressing on a nerve in my neck. I announced I was stopping playing in 2014. I absolutely did not want to stop.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 July 2023 source ↗

Romesh Ranganathan English actor and comedian

My wife when I tried out some new material on her, said: “I’m sure the people who like you would like that.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 August 2024 source ↗

Giovanna Fletcher

A friend and I were talking about eating disorders and he said: “Well, we never have to worry about you not eating.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Felicity Jones British actress

“You’re a reasonably intelligent girl,” by a teacher, and it drove me crazy and made me want to get into Oxford.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 May 2023 source ↗