Layton Williams: When were you most embarrassed?

The question

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Falling flat on my face in Billy Elliot on Boxing Day when I was 14. I fell smack bang at the end of my number. I was mortified.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Rose Ayling-Ellis British actress

Rapping the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme on national television.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 August 2024 source ↗

Russell Mael

Signing away the rights to my life story to a major motion-picture company for a sum that I have since been told was way below the market rate.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Daryl McCormack Irish actor

Missing a cue on stage. I had to come on and move a piece of furniture with another actor and I completely forgot. I looked at the monitor and said, “Why is he standing on his own?” And somebody said, “Aren’t you meant to help him?”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 February 2023 source ↗

Seann Walsh

At school, I got my head stuck in a balustrade on the stairs at lunchtime. I had pupils laughing at me, parents laughing at me, teachers laughing at me and eventually, at the end of the day, the fire brigade laughing at me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 January 2026 source ↗