Rebecca Ferguson: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

It’s that bad, I’d never repeat it. I’ll just say it was particularly cruel and incredibly racist. It was somebody that I used to date, at the end of the relationship, and it hurt very deeply.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 December 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Kate Humble

“We’d love you to be on the cover of our magazine and we’ll give you a makeover.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 December 2023 source ↗

Jack Whitehall English comedian, actor, presenter and writer

“You look like a fat Jack Whitehall.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 April 2023 source ↗

Stockard Channing

“Let’s face it, you’re not Ingrid Bergman.” I was 19 and he was a potential boyfriend. My only thought at the time was: “I’m not?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 August 2026 source ↗

Alex Lawther

Someone said that I had a laugh like Jimmy Carr.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 September 2025 source ↗

More from Rebecca Ferguson

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Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

I campaigned for a creative industry regulatory body, and that’s now happening in the next 18 months. It’s called CIISA [Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority]. I’m proud that I set the ball rolling and dared to challenge the establishment.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 December 2023 source ↗