Shirley Ballas: When were you happiest?

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.

Recorded Shirley Ballas said elsewhere, not written here

When I found out that I was having my baby. They told me I was having a little girl and I named it Elizabeth. Then, when the baby was born it was my beautiful boy, Mark.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 June 2018 source ↗

Others on this question

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Viggo Mortensen American actor

Right now. The past has gone.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 January 2010 source ↗

Terry O'Neill British photographer

I’ve been happy all my life.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Adam Kay British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

In the one photo I’ve seen where my smile looks convincing – I’m four years old, so I’m guessing then. But I just won a Bafta and that felt amazing, too. So, roughly every 40 years.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Steve Coogan British actor and comedian

I would like to say right now, but probably childhood – though even that may be wrong, so I'll say six weeks ago walking in the Lakes.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 January 2010 source ↗

More from Shirley Ballas

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

In my dreams: I’ll feel as if I am falling towards a white light and then suddenly I wake up.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 June 2018 source ↗

Question If you could edit your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

I would be much more available for my brother when he was not well and try to understand more about mental health, which I didn’t know anything about at the time.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 June 2018 source ↗