Róisín Murphy: When were you most embarrassed? — FLAPSS

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

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

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RM

Róisín Murphy

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I recently had a dramatic fall on stage in Hungary. It was a massive stage – I was miles away from the audience – and I didn’t expect there to be two monitors in the middle of it. I went completely arse over tit and landed on my chin. First, I felt shock, pain, embarrassment, and then I felt lucky that I didn’t break any teeth or bite through my tongue. I asked for an ice pack for my chin, got up and finished the set.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Dancing on stage with an open fly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 April 2025 source ↗

That time I congratulated a waitress on being pregnant.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 June 2025 source ↗

Passing wind on camera. I was doing a rather large movie and it was a closeup.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 May 2025 source ↗

Chris McCausland

When I was losing my sight, I couldn’t see where I was going, and I went into an undertaker’s thinking it was a barber’s. I asked the undertaker whether he had many waiting.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 November 2025 source ↗

More from Róisín Murphy

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Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

Last week, because of an ear infection: I cried my eyes out when they put a big injection into my arse.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

When I was a teenager, I worked in a vegetable shop on Saturdays, and the guy had a rotation of 10 pretty teenagers working for him and was really sleazy. I only went twice because the second time he made me go up to his flat above the shop and clean his toilet, and he was watching me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

The fact that I smoke.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗

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

My problem with clothes. I’ve got an issue, haven’t I? I’m not a fella in a band who can turn up in his T-shirt and jeans. I’ve got the whole drama of what I’m going to wear: the hair, the makeup. All that preening and pruning that adds to the stress. I have begun to hate that perfectionist in me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

My car. I don’t even drive, but I bought a Toyota hybrid for my assistant.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗

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