Adele Parks: 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

When I was in my 20s, I had an uncle who took his own life. I would like a second chance to say: “Hang in there.” My parents were living abroad, and me and my sister were just too young to notice the flags.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 August 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Victoria Derbyshire British broadcaster

I’m good at saying sorry – so no one, because I’ve already said it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Dervla Kirwan

My younger self, because I was very, very tough on myself.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2023 source ↗

Lionel Shriver American author

He knows who he is. I’ve apologised. I wish it made more difference.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 May 2016 source ↗

Munroe Bergdorf

Everybody I’ve lost to suicide. When someone dies in that tragic way, you always feel you could have done more.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 July 2025 source ↗

More from Adele Parks

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Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

When I concentrate, I put my thumb in my mouth. I once did it during a really important meeting when asked a question I didn’t know the answer to. When I left the meeting my friend said: “What did you put your thumb in your mouth for?” I didn’t know I’d done it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 August 2026 source ↗