Matthew Kelly: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? — FLAPSS

The question

Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

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.

MK

Matthew Kelly

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My parents, because I rather slipped from their standards on more than one occasion. And when they got older, I wish I’d been kinder and more tolerant with them.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 209 →

Ian Rankin Scottish crime writer

There wasn’t a lot of bullying at my school, but there was a fair amount of ragging – and I knew which side I wanted to be on. I’d say sorry to anyone who felt picked on.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 October 2020 source ↗

Alex Jones American far-right conspiracy theorist

An ex-boyfriend who, looking back, I lost patience with. Now we know more about mental health, I think that was at the root of it; I am sorry I didn’t understand it at the time.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 August 2021 source ↗

Sorry is such an underrated word – I use it liberally.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Alice Eve British actress

To all my teachers – I’m sorry I thought class was a paying audience.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 April 2020 source ↗

More from Matthew Kelly

View profile →

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Learning lines.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

Insurance – it’s such a scam.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

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

I didn’t get a part in a TV series for a writer that I’ve always wanted to work with, but I wasn’t right for it, if I’m truly honest.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

Fifty per cent of the books on my shelf, so much so that I gave them away.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

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

Friendly, opinionated, hilarious.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Not being able to work.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 February 2026 source ↗

More on failure & regret

Also answered this

Dominic Cooper, Emilia Fox, Cynthia Nixon, Lionel Shriver, Aidan Gillen, Martin Freeman

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

All failure & regret questions
The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject

Report this answer