Miriam Margolyes: 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.

MM

Miriam Margolyes

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Glenda Jackson said I was an amateur during rehearsal for The White Devil at the Old Vic. I called her a cow, but that was inadequate.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Nikki Amuka-Bird

In a rehearsal just after graduating from drama college, I say my lines to an older actor. He pauses, turns to the director and says: “I’m sorry, but is she going to do it like that?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 May 2025 source ↗

People give me a hard time about my hats. Over Christmas, this drunk woman shouted something about me having a shit hat because I had a red beanie on. Last week at a party, someone gave me a hard time for wearing a cap. I just think about melting ice caps when this happens.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2024 source ↗

Adam Kay British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

A reviewer once called me “artistically bankrupt”, and it doesn’t feel like reviews can get much worse than that.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Is that the final mix?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

More from Miriam Margolyes

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

Facebook and the need to pee.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Becoming doubly incontinent.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Never to have played at the National or the RSC.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

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

On tour during Christmas vacation at Cambridge with its European Theatre Group, playing Shakespeare. I knew it was the best time of my life.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

To my mother for disappointing her. Mummy wanted me to be a different sort of person from who I am, but one can’t change oneself.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

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

Nothing at all.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

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