Adam Peaty: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

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.

Adam Peaty

British swimmer; Olympic champion 2016 and 2021

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

To the people who, because of my career, I cannot spend time with. I have to be selfish, unfortunately.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

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Scott Mills English radio DJ and television presenter

Katy Perry. I hired a Russell Brand lookalike as a joke for the radio, and she thought it was actually him. When she realised it wasn’t, she burst into tears. She was still married to him, but I didn’t take into account that there were things going on that we didn’t know.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 October 2022 source ↗

Victoria Derbyshire British broadcaster

I’m good at saying sorry – so no one, because I’ve already said it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Richard Schiff

Both parents, I’ll write the book someday.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 April 2026 source ↗

Isabel Allende

To my first husband for being unfaithful, bossy, and eventually leaving him.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 December 2024 source ↗

More from Adam Peaty

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

As a great man.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

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

The realisation that I am not the best version of myself.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

I was on a cliff in Dartmoor, doing a Royal Marine abseil. I fell upside down and thought, “I’m going to die here.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

Question In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to? Daily life

I'm tired, I'm not myself and I'm not enjoying the sport as I have done for the last decade. Some might recognise it as burnout; I just know that over the last few years I haven't had the answers.

Recorded Public statement announcing his break from swimming, April 2023, The Independent, 1 July 2023 source ↗

Question How has a setback or failure set you up for later success? Failure & regret

When I lost that 100m final I spiralled. I went quite aggressive. It is an Adam I don't really recognise.

Recorded BBC Sport, 24 July 2024 source ↗

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David Haye, Victoria Pendleton, Chris Hoy, Harry Redknapp, Joe Wicks, Max Whitlock

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