Andrew O’Hagan: Which moment embarrassed you most?

Originally asked

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

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

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

Recorded Andrew O’Hagan said elsewhere, not written here

My first holy communion, where my trousers were too big for me and fell down, a circumstance which earned me both the instant contempt of the girls and the heightened interest of the priests. That’s just how it was in 1975.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 July 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Jack Davenport

I am in a public profession, so take your pick. It’s all embarrassing.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 March 2024 source ↗

Richard Coles British musician, writer, presenter and priest

My paso doble on Strictly Come Dancing would be hard to beat.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 June 2023 source ↗

Julian Lloyd Webber British cellist and conductor

I’m president of my neighbourhood association. At my first meeting there was a discussion about developments the association should oppose. I said: “Nothing could be as bad as that horrible new house next to the church.” “I designed that,” the chairman replied. I shut up.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 July 2023 source ↗

Craig Charles English actor

The Fake Sheikh did a sting on me once and the News of the World headline was “Craig Charles is an evil drug-pushing monster”. That wasn’t good on the school run, I’ll tell you that.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 July 2024 source ↗