Toby Stephens: What most recently moved you to tears?

The question

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

I cry all the time. It’s embarrassing. I mostly cry when my children perform something at school. My wife regularly says, “Do you see any other fathers weeping?” But I can’t stop myself.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Kate Mosse English writer

Last night, watching Grey’s Anatomy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 March 2022 source ↗

Richard Wilson Scottish actor and theatre director

Recently, while watching Young Musician Of The Year.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 February 2016 source ↗

Donny Osmond American singer, dancer, actor, television host

Last Monday was a really emotional day for me: my last son graduated from high school and he’s going on a mission for the Mormon Church soon. I’ve already experienced it four times with my other sons: my oldest went to London, my second son to Italy, my third to Scotland and my fourth the Netherlands. They come back, but the little boy stays out there. He never comes back.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 July 2016 source ↗

John Cooper Clarke English poet

Singing Abide With Me at the funeral of Bruce Reynolds [ringleader of the Great Train Robbery], March 2013.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 July 2013 source ↗