Giovanna Fletcher: 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.

GF

Giovanna Fletcher

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

A friend and I were talking about eating disorders and he said: “Well, we never have to worry about you not eating.”

The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Sharon Corr Musical artist

I can’t disclose that because it’s not suitable for public airing, but it was truly awful; they’ve since said worse.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 June 2023 source ↗

When I was growing up, my mother would accuse me of showing off. That’s the most shaming, humbling, horrible thing. What was I doing? Showing off!

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

Johannes Radebe

I’ll never amount to anything. Who? He was my rival at dance school. It hurt and is something that I’ve always had in the back of my head to defy.

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

Felicity Jones British actress

“You’re a reasonably intelligent girl,” by a teacher, and it drove me crazy and made me want to get into Oxford.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 May 2023 source ↗

More from Giovanna Fletcher

View profile →

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

Art: a James McQueen piece that says, “It’s all shits and giggles until someone giggles and shits.” It’s in our bathroom.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Forgetting things.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Worrying about my kids, self-doubt and creaky noises.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

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

Prepared, focused, a bit silly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

Judi Dench – not only is she super talented but she is also really humble.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

At the TV Baftas last year I was wearing these heels that had stiff bows on the front. One heel locked into the other bow and I went arse over tit.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

More on failure & regret

Also answered this

Michelle Collins, Frank Bowling, Philippa Dunne, Chaka Khan, Stockard Channing, Monica Dolan

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

All failure & regret questions
The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject

Report this answer