I’m closer today than I was yesterday.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 June 2021 source ↗
The question
How close have you come to dying?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
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Others on this question
View all 209 →I lived in New York during 9/11 and worked a couple of blocks away from the twin towers. I was looking when the first tower exploded and then when the second plane flew in and, before we had to evacuate, I did see people jump to their death.
Monty Don
English horticulturist, broadcaster, and writer
Despite a stroke, cancer as a child and various dramas with chainsaws and tractors, the closest was probably when I choked on a lamb chop 25 years ago. Sarah performed the Heimlich manoeuvre and the lamb shot out.
Julian Clary
English actor, comedian, novelist and presenter
A gig in Chatham.
A piece of scenery fell on my head during Richard II at the Globe theatre in 2019. I was very badly hurt.
More from Philippa Perry
View profile →One written in 2057.
It’s probably a bit of an ask, but I’d like my latest book to stay in print. For ever.
Everyone. In advance. Just in case.
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