The fact that I smoke.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗
The question
What worries you about getting older?Originally asked
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The fact that I smoke.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗
Being alone and other people getting busier with families and life.
Forgetting the wonderful memories I have got from throughout my life. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with dementia.
I understand that you lose the register of hearing that enables you to hear crickets, and when I can’t hear crickets in the summer I’ll be really sad.
Not feeling old but everyone treating you that way.
When I was a teenager, I worked in a vegetable shop on Saturdays, and the guy had a rotation of 10 pretty teenagers working for him and was really sleazy. I only went twice because the second time he made me go up to his flat above the shop and clean his toilet, and he was watching me.
My problem with clothes. I’ve got an issue, haven’t I? I’m not a fella in a band who can turn up in his T-shirt and jeans. I’ve got the whole drama of what I’m going to wear: the hair, the makeup. All that preening and pruning that adds to the stress. I have begun to hate that perfectionist in me.
I recently had a dramatic fall on stage in Hungary. It was a massive stage – I was miles away from the audience – and I didn’t expect there to be two monitors in the middle of it. I went completely arse over tit and landed on my chin. First, I felt shock, pain, embarrassment, and then I felt lucky that I didn’t break any teeth or bite through my tongue. I asked for an ice pack for my chin, got up and finished the set.
My car. I don’t even drive, but I bought a Toyota hybrid for my assistant.
Last week, because of an ear infection: I cried my eyes out when they put a big injection into my arse.
Tony Christie, Sarah Perry, Neil Gaiman, Dervla Kirwan, Johannes Radebe, Tamsin Greig
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