Philippa Dunne: As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? — FLAPSS

The question

As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself?

Originally asked

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

This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.

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

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Philippa Dunne

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

An actor. I watched a lot of TV because we lived in the countryside and the weather was so bad.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 197 →

Jenny Agutter English actress

When I was very little, I thought it might be possible to be an angel.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 January 2018 source ↗

Tracy-Ann Oberman Actor and writer

An actress. My family thought it was ridiculous, it was like saying you wanted to be an astronaut.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 August 2021 source ↗

Aidan Gillen Irish actor

A stuntman. Evel Knievel was an icon.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 May 2017 source ↗

Andrew O’Hagan

Most days, I wanted to be Albrecht in the classical ballet Giselle, dancing until I dropped dead.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

More from Philippa Dunne

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Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

I’ve a phobia of statues. It does go back to childhood. My parents brought me to look at a French church late at night. Since then I can’t deal with them.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Becoming invisible.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

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

Any time I’m in rehearsals.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Someone once saw me in a play and said that I was disgusting.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Funny Irish woman.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

You are your own greatest asset.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

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