When I was 16, I’d just won full scholarships to both the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, and felt like the world was my oyster.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 July 2023 source ↗
The question
What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?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.
When I was 16, I’d just won full scholarships to both the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, and felt like the world was my oyster.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 July 2023 source ↗
When I came round after being seriously ill. I’d had a dose of morphine, the sun was shining and I thought, “Ah yes, I live!”
Any time I’m in rehearsals.
I am always happiest when my kids are on good form and we are having a lovely family dinner.
I'd say you've never seen me happier than at this particular moment.
When the surgeon told me I wouldn’t be able to play the cello again, in 2013. I have a herniated disc and it’s pressing on a nerve in my neck. I announced I was stopping playing in 2014. I absolutely did not want to stop.
Our beautiful cat was so ill that we were hours away from having her put down. Somehow, we’ve managed to nurse her back to full health again.
A detective, a train driver on the underground and Leyton Orient’s centre forward.
Frightening, exhilarating and all-consuming.
My cello. At the time, in 1983, it was £192,500.
I’m president of my neighbourhood association. At my first meeting there was a discussion about developments the association should oppose. I said: “Nothing could be as bad as that horrible new house next to the church.” “I designed that,” the chairman replied. I shut up.
Sarah Millican, Billie Piper, Anthony Hopkins, Emeli Sandé, Nicholas Hoult, Danny DeVito
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