Lucy Beaumont: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

LB

Lucy Beaumont

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Some man in the street stopped me and said: “If you were a few inches taller you’d be dangerous.” I’ve no idea what he meant.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Rose Ayling-Ellis British actress

“I’ll tell you later.” They never do.

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

“You’re selfish.” It was a friend.

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

Siobhán McSweeney

“Sorry, I don’t mean to insult you, but did you know you look a bit like that actress Siobhán McSweeney?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 December 2023 source ↗

When I was growing up, my mother would accuse me of showing off. That’s the most shaming, humbling, horrible thing. What was I doing? Showing off!

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 April 2026 source ↗

More from Lucy Beaumont

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Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Thinking I’ve upset somebody.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

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

Thinking that I’m right when I’m wrong. But not only that – being able to convince other people I’m right and then finding out I’m wrong.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

I worked with Stephen Fry recently and we had a real heart-to-heart. I asked: “What was it like being in prison for being gay?” And thank God someone came in and he didn’t hear me say it. I was mixing him up with when he played Oscar Wilde. I could picture him in his cell.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

That money doesn’t buy happiness.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

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

I worked in a paper factory at five o’clock on a Saturday morning when I was in my early 20s. I’d go out raving the night before, get an hour’s sleep and then go to the factory. I was covered in paper cuts and used to think I heard people talking to me; they gave me a lot of breaks because they thought I was going mad.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Losing my makeup bag.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

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