Zack Polanski: What most recently moved you to tears?

The question

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

Deputy leader Mothin Ali gave a speech at conference talking about growing up in poverty and the effect it had on his family. It was incredibly powerful and I had tears streaming from my eyes.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Martin Kemp English musician and actor

I cry all the time. The last time was at the end of Paddington 2. Shirlie was laughing her head off.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 July 2018 source ↗

Richard Osman English TV presenter and writer

I cry at everything – adverts, Gogglebox, hugging my kids. I love crying: it’s like your pain is laughing.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 June 2016 source ↗

Lleyton Hewitt Australian professional tennis player

My kids wrote a song for me, recorded it on to a CD and it was played before my last Australian Open. I had no idea until I heard it live on TV.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 July 2016 source ↗

Sharleen Spiteri

Turning on the news.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 May 2024 source ↗