Alex Hassell: When were you most embarrassed?

The question

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

On one of my first jobs, Cold Mountain, I got a wasp in my ear in front of Jude Law. He couldn’t see the wasp so just saw me freak out.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 May 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Tamsin Greig

Throwing up all over the red velvet seats in the House of Lords on a school trip, aged nine.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 May 2025 source ↗

Natalie Imbruglia

Forgetting the words to my own songs on stage. I’m a very good mumbler of my own songs. You’d be surprised how few people notice – if you smile and do it confidently, they’re none the wiser.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2026 source ↗

Olly Alexander English singer and actor

At the Mighty Hoopla festival, Kimberley and Nicola from Girls Aloud joined me on stage for a Girls Aloud song. I completely forgot the words.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 March 2025 source ↗

Bear Grylls

Holding the hand of some random lady at an airport who I mistook for my wife, Shara.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 January 2026 source ↗