Frank Cottrell-Boyce: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? — FLAPSS

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

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

FC

Frank Cottrell-Boyce

British screenwriter, novelist and actor

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

So many. All childcarers and most primary teachers.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Person childcarers not yet on FLAPSS
Person primary teachers not yet on FLAPSS

Others on this question

View all 407 →

Ken Loach English retired filmmaker

Tony Benn, for moving to the left throughout his life rather than to the right.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 June 2012 source ↗

Armistead Maupin American writer

My friend Ian McKellen, who has an extraordinary record as an actor and a gay activist.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 August 2019 source ↗

kd lang Canadian musician

My mother. I am always fascinated by her, and I get schooled every time I’m around her.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 May 2021 source ↗

Nadine Gordimer South African writer

Nelson Mandela. The epitome of courage and intelligence.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 March 2012 source ↗

More from Frank Cottrell-Boyce

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Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

That it’s impossible to persuade other people of the value of the lessons that life has taught you.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

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

My inability to say no.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

I spent an advent in my late teens throttling turkeys.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

I took the whole family to live in the Basque Country for a year. My children and I have a hereditary blood condition so I took out a health insurance policy. I’m still furious that none of us so much as stubbed a toe.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

I once found myself chatting to a big handsome bloke at a party in Oslo. I said, “And what do you do?” “Well,” he said, “I am the king.” Being a great wordsmith, I zinged back, “Oh. Errm. Cool.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

The unguiltiest pleasure.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

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Ethan Hawke, Rita Wilson, Hayley Squires, Joseph Fiennes, Julian Sands, Meera Syal

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