Nigel Havers: 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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Nigel Havers

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I was about six years old in a market square in Italy and my dad said, “Oh, those shorts would look perfect on you.” So he whipped my trousers off and I hadn’t got any knickers on.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Farting in front of Colin Firth.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 September 2023 source ↗

Meghan Trainor American singer-songwriter

When I was 11, I went down a water slide and my bottoms didn’t go with me. Everyone saw my bare white butt.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 June 2024 source ↗

Rosie Jones British comedian and actress

One time I got so drunk in the Soho theatre in London that I fell asleep in the disabled toilet for two hours. People still call the toilet Rosie’s Bedroom.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 December 2022 source ↗

Clive Myrie British journalist, newsreader, and presenter

Being called upon by President Bush to ask him a question at a press conference when I wasn’t there. He called my name … and there was no response!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 June 2024 source ↗

More from Nigel Havers

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

As a perfectly decent bloke.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

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

Nothing at all.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Every actor has the same fear – ie, you’re never going to work again.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

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

I cry all the time in front of the telly. I was doing Gogglebox with Julian Clary recently and I cried watching The Piano.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Not playing James Bond.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

The king – because he’s been through quite a bit and I think he’s come out the other side brilliantly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

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