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

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

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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 ↗

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When a relationship I’ve been invested in stops working. And yet, here I am, happy as you like.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 March 2024 source ↗

Pamela Anderson Canadian-American actress and model

That after I collected countless signatures on a petition, the Queen's Guard still wear bearskin hats.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 January 2008 source ↗

Not being able to start my own company

Shirley Ballas English ballroom dancer

People close to me throwing me under a bus for a crust.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 June 2018 source ↗

More from Andrew O’Hagan

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Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

My first holy communion, where my trousers were too big for me and fell down, a circumstance which earned me both the instant contempt of the girls and the heightened interest of the priests. That’s just how it was in 1975.

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

Question When did you last change your mind about something important? Change of mind

The other day, when I decided that maybe I had been too harsh on mid-period Sting.

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

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

For world capitalism to grind to a halt.

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 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 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 ↗

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