Mark Steel: When were you most embarrassed? — FLAPSS

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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Mark Steel

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

When I was 16, my dad got drunk at the Oval cricket ground and harangued Sir Garry Sobers, possibly the greatest cricketer of all time, because he didn’t agree with who he’d given as man of the match.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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On one of my first jobs, Cold Mountain, I got a wasp in my ear in front of Jude Law. He couldn’t see the wasp so just saw me freak out.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 May 2026 source ↗

Sharleen Spiteri

Going on stage and saying, “Good evening Lyon!” I was in Marseille.

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

Meghan Trainor American singer-songwriter

When I was 11, I went down a water slide and my bottoms didn’t go with me. Everyone saw my bare white butt.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 June 2024 source ↗

Layton Williams

Falling flat on my face in Billy Elliot on Boxing Day when I was 14. I fell smack bang at the end of my number. I was mortified.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

More from Mark Steel

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Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Younger people being amazed that I know what song they’re listening to.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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

When I had cancer. I was having a shave and thought: “Are you meant to have a big hard lump on one side of your neck?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I’m so tempted to answer serial killer.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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

Should talk less.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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

At 16, I thought I’d be part of transforming the world into a socialist egalitarian arena of peace and justice. I’m not sure we’ve quite managed it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

My kids. I think if you don’t want to say sorry to your kids you’ve been an appalling parent.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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