Mark Radcliffe: What worries you about getting older? — FLAPSS

The question

What worries you about getting older?

Originally asked

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

A newer fixed question in The Guardian's rotating Q&A pool.

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

MR

Mark Radcliffe

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Nothing. I survived a cancer scare at 60, so I am just overjoyed to be here.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Maurice Sendak Children's author and illustrator

I cry a lot because I miss people. I cry a lot because they die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more. ... And so it's what I dread more than anything is the isolation.

Recorded Terry Gross, Fresh Air, NPR — recorded by telephone in September 2011, his last interview, 20 September 2011 source ↗

Seeing my kids getting older scares me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 November 2025 source ↗

That I’m going to start commenting “Wow” under AI images I think are real.

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

Dawn O’Porter

So far, getting older has made almost everything better.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

More from Mark Radcliffe

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Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

This was said about me in a Radio 1 focus group: “I don’t pay my licence fee to hear scummy northerners.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

A nice long rest.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Heights, something happening to my children and Manchester United getting good again (I’m a Man City fan).

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

As someone who made people laugh, introduced them to good music and wasn’t too much of a pain in the arse.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

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

Fairly decent bloke.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

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

Working in a bottle factory, which lasted one day, and the Radio 1 breakfast show.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

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