Mark Steel: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? — FLAPSS

The question

Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

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Mark Steel

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My kids. I think if you don’t want to say sorry to your kids you’ve been an appalling parent.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Rick Astley Singer, songwriter and radio presenter

My wife, because she manages me and sometimes there isn’t time for niceties and we have to talk in a language that isn’t very marriage-like.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 October 2018 source ↗

Kelsey Grammer American actor

My two middle children, Mason and Jude. They will know why.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 June 2016 source ↗

Jess Phillips British politician

Luke. It’s hard growing up with a heroin addict, and I treated him in his vulnerability in a way I would never have treated anyone I worked with.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 April 2018 source ↗

Michelle Visage

My children, because I spent the majority of their youth away from them as I’m the breadwinner and I had to pay the bills.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 January 2024 source ↗

More from Mark Steel

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

At 16, I thought I’d be part of transforming the world into a socialist egalitarian arena of peace and justice. I’m not sure we’ve quite managed it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Should talk less.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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

Through a series of mistakes in write-ups, I’d like to be remembered for something like being Britain’s finest downhill skier or inventing pickled onions.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

When I had cancer. I was having a shave and thought: “Are you meant to have a big hard lump on one side of your neck?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

When I was 16, my dad got drunk at the Oval cricket ground and harangued Sir Garry Sobers, possibly the greatest cricketer of all time, because he didn’t agree with who he’d given as man of the match.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

Right now, like I have no intention of going anywhere else.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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