Charlie Higson: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? — FLAPSS

The question

Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

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.

CH

Charlie Higson

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

All the kids I didn’t reply to who’ve written lovely letters about my books.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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To people who I’ve made a really quick joke about on stage and hurt.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 April 2025 source ↗

Johannes Radebe

My father because I was 12 when he passed and I blamed him for everything in my parents’ marriage. Now I realise he did the best he could and was just figuring life out like everybody else.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 March 2026 source ↗

John Waters American filmmaker

To my teachers in high school - that I didn't punch them in the mouth for discouraging all my interests.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

My kids. I think if you don’t want to say sorry to your kids you’ve been an appalling parent.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

More from Charlie Higson

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Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

I used to give a fantastic talk about Frankenstein and Dracula, but I’ve never been able to finish either book.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Middle-class wanker.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

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

Three mature palm trees. We restored a property in Italy that had been derelict and I needed to make it look established as quickly as I could.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

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

I can be horribly smug and conceited, and yet always in the back of my mind is the thought that things could go terribly wrong at any moment.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I’m a classic remoaner.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

I’ve shat myself in public three times. It’s never quite as bad as you fear.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

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