David Ajala: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

The question

Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

To a resistant materials teacher at secondary school called Mr Noel. He had a comb-over and whenever he turned his back to write on the blackboard, we would roll up bits of paper and launch them at his head. Once, I hit him. I remember him turning around and looking crestfallen.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Viv Albertine Australian-born British musician and writer

I wish I’d told my mother that, in all the years I knew her, she was never once boring. We weren’t demonstrative, so that would have meant that I loved her.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 October 2020 source ↗

Bianca Jagger Nicaraguan human rights advocate

To my daughter, because she felt that I spent too much time saving other children. I would go to war zones and travel the world for human rights work, and she was missing me.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2020 source ↗

James Blunt Singer, songwriter and musician

To the British public generally. They know why.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 November 2021 source ↗

Joanna Scanlan British actress and writer

To my Latin teacher – I was very naughty.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 March 2018 source ↗

More from David Ajala

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

Telesales – having to sell terrible kitchens. I thought, maybe I’m not a good actor because I can’t even convince myself that these kitchens are worth paying for.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

Helen Mirren was in the elevator with me at the National Theatre. She pressed the button but it didn’t move. I said, “Fancy seeing you here and being stuck in an elevator.” And she said, “Was that meant to be funny?” I apologised, and she laughed. Even talking about it now, it feels so awkward and embarrassing.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗