Gary Barlow
British singer
We’re in such a good place now as a family. It’s the same for my career. I say no to so many things; I never used to be able to.
When were you happiest?
Question
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
Question
What scares you about getting older?
Time & hindsight
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Identity & self
Question
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Identity & self
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
The early days of motherhood. We lived in a sweet little bungalow in LA that had a pool. We threw lots of parties. We had a cute dog and a mad Siamese. Trump had never been president, we’d never heard of coronavirus, Claire’s Accessories was still going strong. Good times.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
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Paul Smith
English fashion designer
I am a happy person. I am happy every day. But if I had to pick a time it would be the first time I fell in love.
I’m the happiest right now. I can see that I’m in a kind of sweet spot: my parents are alive, my kids are little, my wife is hot and my body doesn’t hurt.
David Oyelowo
Actor, director and producer
Right now. I am a very blessed man.
More from Dawn O’Porter
View profile →Not winning Celebrity MasterChef. I am still gutted, despite many months of pretending to be fine with it.
So far, getting older has made almost everything better.
My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.
Clothes moths (and the imminent threat of world war three).
When I ruin someone else’s story because I think mine is better, so butt in before they’ve finished theirs.
A drunk woman who threw epic dinner parties.
More on time & hindsight
- What is the most important lesson life has taught you? 137 answers
- What advice would you give your twenty-year-old self, and what should they ignore? 77 answers
- What scares you about getting older? 61 answers
- What is the best advice you have ever received? 28 answers
- If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere, what would it say and why? 23 answers
- What is something you were told by a parent, teacher, or mentor that you still repeat to yourself? 22 answers
Also answered this
Nancy Pelosi, Julian Clary, Bernadette Peters, Lena Headey, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Margaret Atwood
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- All time & hindsight questions
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