Joan Bakewell: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Joan Bakewell

English journalist, television presenter and politician

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My student days at Cambridge.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2013 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 577 →

George Takei

When Brad and I got married. We had to struggle for it. It involved a nationwide speaking tour, lobbying Congress and campaigning intensely. We were the first couple to get our marriage licence in West Hollywood.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Jared Harris

I’m happy whenever I’m with my wife, Allegra.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2025 source ↗

Sarah Millican English comedian

The day our rescue dog came for a visit. I burst into tears. And my (most recent) wedding, of course.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 January 2018 source ↗

Bob Hoskins English actor

When the kids were babies.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 June 2011 source ↗

More from Joan Bakewell

View profile →

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

Wondering if I've turned the gas off.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2013 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Not being on Morecambe & Wise.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2013 source ↗

Question What song would you want played at your funeral? Death & what remains

A hymn called The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2013 source ↗

Also answered this

Edmund Hillary, Jerry Springer, Vince Cable, Anita Rani, Nick Robinson, Liz Jones

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

All time & hindsight questions
The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject

Report this answer

Others on this question

More from Joan Bakewell

More on time & hindsight

Also answered this

Explore further