Sharleen Spiteri: 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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Sharleen Spiteri

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Feeling so helpless. You feel that governments should be making better choices; people are speaking out and nothing seems to be done about it.

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

Others on this question

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Michael Sheen Welsh actor

Welsh rugby since the 70s.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 December 2008 source ↗

Rita Ora British singer-songwriter

I got dropped from two record deals when I was 14 and 17.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2015 source ↗

Eleanor Tomlinson English actress

Losing out on a role, any role. I get so invested. I can take rejection, but only when useful feedback is given.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2024 source ↗

Being absent from my son’s life when I’m at work.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 May 2025 source ↗

More from Sharleen Spiteri

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

Somebody wrote that my voice was more numbing than novocaine.

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

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

When I was little, a couple of rapes took place in Glasgow. I remember my mum saying to walk in the middle of the pavement, and to this day I am very conscious of where I am.

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

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

An artist, an interior designer and a vet.

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

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

Schemes. I hate schemers.

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

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Quiet, noisy, androgynous.

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

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

Turning on the news.

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

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