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

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.

LW

Layton Williams

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

View all 122 →

Go back to where you came from.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 April 2024 source ↗

“Next! We’re looking for somebody else.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2025 source ↗

Rosalind Eleazar

I don’t think you could print it, it’s so bad.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 February 2025 source ↗

On X, I am regularly called a traitor, a fraud, a grifter, a weakling, a narcissist, a coward and a child molester.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2026 source ↗

More from Layton Williams

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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 ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Patience is not my forte.

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

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Dying: I’m too iconic to go.

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

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 When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

Falling flat on my face in Billy Elliot on Boxing Day when I was 14. I fell smack bang at the end of my number. I was mortified.

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

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

I really hope there is a big pearly gate.

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

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