Layton Williams: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Racial and homophobic slurs – the F- and N-words. When I moved to London, people screamed the F-word from their cars, and that stings.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Dervla Kirwan

That I am a terrible actor.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2023 source ↗

Lemn Sissay

When I was a child, a member of staff at Wood End Assessment Centre [a former children’s home in Wigan] bellowed: “He copies them poems off of Bob Marley records.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 October 2023 source ↗

Rebecca Lucy Taylor

I was recently made to feel that it’s my mental health that’s the problem and not the system.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 November 2025 source ↗

Tamsin Greig

“And for you, sir?” It happens a lot.

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

More from Layton Williams

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Bad personal hygiene.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

I was a secret shopper and had to do a lot of bookies – Coral and William Hill – all around London. For 18-year-old me looking all fab it was quite scary going in and saying: “Hiya, can I put £4 on No 7 horse, please?” But you got to keep the money when you won.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

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

A Vivienne Westwood & Burberry two-piece suit I bought for a press night. At the time I was: “Yeah, of course I’m going to be a 30-inch waist for the rest of my life.” Now the trousers don’t fit.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗