Andrew O’Hagan: What disappointment has stayed with you longest? — FLAPSS

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

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The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

This exact question recurs in The Guardian's institutional Q&A pool.

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Andrew O’Hagan

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

The internet. Such potential for good and for levelling up the world, but such a quagmire in reality.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Engelbert Humperdinck British singer

Not understanding the business side of my career enough. I could have probably been much wealthier than I am.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 February 2019 source ↗

Charlotte Church Welsh singer-songwriter and actress

The outcome of the Leveson inquiry.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 July 2022 source ↗

Tina Brown British and American journalist

The closure of Talk magazine.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 May 2010 source ↗

Hilary Swank Actor

When things are disappointing, I know they are happening for a reason, so I try to find out why and learn from them.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 March 2011 source ↗

More from Andrew O’Hagan

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

Making people smaller than they are because of something they can’t handle in themselves.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

Like getting out of the right side of the bed every morning, even when you don’t.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

As a good friend.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

Most days, I wanted to be Albrecht in the classical ballet Giselle, dancing until I dropped dead.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

I can’t say it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Somebody once told me I was the spitting image of David Cameron.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

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