The question
When were you most embarrassed?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.
On stage in Tasmania, I tripped over a floor monitor and landed on my back like a turtle, kicking my legs in the air trying to get back on my feet in front of about 5,000 people. But when I got on my feet, the whole crowd roared in triumph.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 March 2023 source ↗
During the technical rehearsal of Aspects of Love in 1989. They told me it would be discreetly lit because I was paranoid about being in just my pants. I walked on and every spotlight in the building followed me round the stage.
Signing away the rights to my life story to a major motion-picture company for a sum that I have since been told was way below the market rate.
When I was doing a masterclass at a theatre and I had to leave the stage because I was about to shit my pants.
Being an actor is inherently embarrassing. You have to embrace it.
Having a career that’s lasted 47 years, especially when I felt like an impostor for so many of them.
A travel agent, so I could see the world.
I wouldn’t take back the drugs, but there are a few boyfriends that I’d edit out of my life.
To stay in the moment and live each day to the maximum. You never know when it’s going to be taken away.
“You sing like a goat.” When I did my French album [Voila], this French woman – a supposed friend – said to my face: “It’s fantastic but, how come you sound like a chèvre?” It was like someone had hit me in the stomach.
I’ve been doing pilates for 25 years and I swear by it. I decided to kit out a room with pilates equipment – and I think it’s the most expensive thing I’ve invested in.
Shakin' Stevens, Meghan Trainor, Adam Lambert, Bryn Terfel, Michael Ball, John Simm
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