Skip to content

The question

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's long-running Q&A repeatedly asks this standing question, with minor tense variation.

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

Others on this question

View all 230 →
Steph McGovern Broadcaster
I used to be an ear-piercing specialist when I was 16, and had to pierce babies’ ears. It was horrendous. I had to practise on my friends – several have misplaced piercings.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
Martin Kemp English musician and actor
Gary and I worked in a greengrocer’s on Saturdays and in the holidays. One of my jobs was cooking beetroot – it used to make me gag.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 July 2018 source ↗
I was a secret shopper and had to do a lot of bookies – Coral and William Hill – all around London. For 18-year-old me looking all fab it was quite scary going in and saying: “Hiya, can I put £4 on No 7 horse, please?” But you got to keep the money when you won.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

More from Indira Varma

View profile →

More on craft & work

Also answered this

Carol Vorderman, Maya Jama, Mike Skinner, Melissa McCarthy, Sofia Helin, Mo Gilligan

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

Report this answer