Toby Stephens: When were you most embarrassed? — FLAPSS

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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TS

Toby Stephens

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I was in a restaurant with my daughter in Los Angeles and I had an accident involving a stomach upset. That was mortifying for both of us.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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I once asked a young woman if she had ever heard of the musician Laura Marling, insinuating I knew Laura Marling, to which she replied: “I am Laura Marling.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2024 source ↗

Marina Abramović Performance artist

Pretending I’m happy when I’m not.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 October 2024 source ↗

An earthquake in Peru forced me and a young man into the street, where he had to introduce me to his family at three in the morning.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2025 source ↗

Erin O'Connor English model

Appearing on a Paris catwalk in a beard.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 March 2008 source ↗

More from Toby Stephens

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Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

I cry all the time. It’s embarrassing. I mostly cry when my children perform something at school. My wife regularly says, “Do you see any other fathers weeping?” But I can’t stop myself.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

To be completely alone.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

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

A review of Phèdre said – because I was quite large at the time – Toby Stephens’s Hippolytus needs to get on a StairMaster.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

Question If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

There was a very large part of my 20s where I was an alcoholic, and an addict. When I lost my dad to cirrhosis, I knew that the only difference between us was that, tragically, he couldn’t stop whereas I could.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

Never ever think that things are going to turn out all right.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

Ulysses – I’ve tried many times and never got through it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 June 2026 source ↗

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