John Cooper Clarke
English poet
Happiness is the target one only has to aim at in order to miss.
When were you happiest?
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
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What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
Question
How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
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What song would you like played at your funeral?
Death & what remains
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
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.
The day our daughter was born, or maybe fishing on the Colorado river with my wife and brother and his buddy Earl.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 August 2007 source ↗
Others on this question
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Gary Barlow
British singer
We’re in such a good place now as a family. It’s the same for my career. I say no to so many things; I never used to be able to.
Gemma Whelan
English actress
When I was 15, I went to a rugby match at Twickenham with my dad and we went back to his friend Hugh’s house and Hugh made me a perfect cup of tea. I just remember feeling really happy because it was such a brilliant day and I loved being with my dad.
A few weeks ago, walking on the beach in Anglesey with my dogs and my husband.
More from Ed Harris
View profile →'You're not free.'
The distribution of Copying Beethoven in the US.
Near head-on collision driving from Oklahoma to California back in the 70s.
Mr Tambourine Man.
Other than being a decent father, Pollock.
Modelling tuxedos at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1971.
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