Sandy Powell: What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

Originally asked

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

This exact question recurs in The Guardian's institutional Q&A pool.

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

Sandy Powell

British costume designer

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Not meeting David Bowie, but then they say it’s best not to meet your heroes.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 September 2019 source ↗

Others on this question

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Alex Lawther

I spent about five years living in Paris thinking I would become Kristin Scott Thomas, and it didn’t happen.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 September 2025 source ↗

Jonnie Peacock British athlete

I try not to have disappointments, because a lot of the bad things that happen in life teach you things.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 January 2018 source ↗

Kelly Hoppen

I had an opportunity many years ago to move to America and be given a daytime TV show. The kids were quite young and I decided not to, but looking back I wish I had done it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Richard Hammond English journalist, television presenter, and author

Failing my driving test first time; that was a disappointment on a geological scale.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2009 source ↗