Mark Steel: How close have you come to dying? — FLAPSS

The question

How close have you come to dying?

Originally asked

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

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

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

MS

Mark Steel

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

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?”

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

Others on this question

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Chris Bonington

There are so many instances when I’ve come very close to death that it’s difficult to pick one.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗

David Arquette American actor, producer, & former professional wrestler

I got stabbed in the neck with a light tube during a wrestling “death match” two years ago. It was scary. I thought I was dying: your life does flash before your eyes.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 January 2021 source ↗

John Waters American filmmaker

Just thinking about unsafe sex.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

Rose McGowan American actress and activist

Falling down a mine shaft in New Mexico while filming.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 December 2018 source ↗

More from Mark Steel

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Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I’m so tempted to answer serial killer.

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 What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Younger people being amazed that I know what song they’re listening to.

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 ↗

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 ↗

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