Graham Norton: When were you most embarrassed?

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.

Graham Norton

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I called Elizabeth McGovern Elizabeth Montgomery throughout a show. But, bless her, she didn’t say anything.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 April 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Bryan Adams Canadian singer-songwriter and musician

Walking with Eric Clapton’s tour manager Mick to meet Eric backstage, and when I met Eric I said, “Hi Mick.” I wanted to die.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 December 2022 source ↗

Frank Bowling

In the 1950s I went to the Chelsea Arts Club’s New Year’s Eve ball at the Royal Albert Hall dressed as a Christmas pudding, with swimming trunks under my costume and holly in my hair.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Kellie Maloney Retired boxing manager, promoter and politician

In my early days of transitioning, I used to come to London and meet for a drink with a group going through the same thing. I used to wear a full wig, and one night I’d drunk too much and fell asleep on the train, and my wig slipped off.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 August 2024 source ↗

Meghann Fahy

In my 20s I was in a show called The Unauthorised Autobiography of Samantha Brown. The actor who played my dad messed up his lines and it made me laugh so hard that I ended up peeing my pants.

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