James Bay
English singer-songwriter and guitarist
When I started getting to grips with playing the guitar, aged 11.
When were you happiest?
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
Question
What does love feel like?
Relationships
Question
What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
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What is the worst job you have done?
Craft & work
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.
My first summer working, in 1984. I’d come out of drama school, I’d landed a job that got me an Equity card doing Godspell in Aberystwyth – and it was just unmitigated joy.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 May 2023 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 577 →Anywhere with her, while she lived.
Boy George
British musician
I am relieved to say that I find it hard to answer such a question, because if I could it would suggest that my life has become dreary and empty.
Daphne Guinness
British socialite
I am often happiest on a shoot with David LaChapelle, being pushed to the extremes – either suspended from a harness or immersed in a tank of water. He calls it “extreme modelling”.
More from Michael Ball
View profile →I am pretty proud of having got Aspects of Love back into the West End.
“Unfortunately, Michael, I don’t think you’re ever going to work in the acting profession until you’re about 40, and then it’ll only be in minor character roles.” Drama teacher at Guildford School of Acting.
The best of times, the worst of times.
Watching Long Lost Family on telly.
Having got Aspects of Love back into the West End.
Handing out leaflets for a European coach trip wearing just lederhosen, in February and March in Surrey. It was freezing, and I got fired.
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