Fay Ripley: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

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.

Fay Ripley

English actress, television presenter, cookbook author

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

When my kids had little teeth and curly hair, and hadn’t discovered the idea of wanting to leave home.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 November 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

Eddie Izzard British comedian and actress

Living in Bangor, County Down, because my mum was still alive. She died when I was six.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 May 2016 source ↗

On tour during Christmas vacation at Cambridge with its European Theatre Group, playing Shakespeare. I knew it was the best time of my life.

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

Kirsty Young Scottish television radio presenter

Running down a hill in midsummer sunshine aged eight, singing ELO's Mr Blue Sky.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 January 2010 source ↗

Jesse Jackson American minister, activist and politician

In college, meeting my wife and then having our first child, and marching together to bring down the walls of Jim Crow.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 April 2012 source ↗