Adele Parks: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? — FLAPSS

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.

AP

Adele Parks

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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My father, with whom I had a complex relationship: often, when I was young, his desire to protect me clashed with the stubbornness of my choices.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 November 2024 source ↗

The people I hurt when I was suffering with addiction to alcohol and cocaine.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 December 2023 source ↗

Aidan Gillen Irish actor

Teachers at my school, for being such a smartarse.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 May 2017 source ↗

My mother, because when I’m stressed, I can be really horrible to her.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

More from Adele Parks

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Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Enthusiastic, resilient, empathetic.

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

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

A sushi chef in my kitchen.

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

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

A mix – safety to be yourself, acceptance, a feeling of peace and reliance, but also challenge, whether that’s intellectual or emotional.

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

Question If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

I would become fitter younger. Because I would have been hotter younger!

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

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

Speaking negatively to myself.

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

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 ↗

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