Mark Radcliffe: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

MR

Mark Radcliffe

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

This was said about me in a Radio 1 focus group: “I don’t pay my licence fee to hear scummy northerners.”

The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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There are yards and yards and yards of abuse every day. I ignore the lot of it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Someone said that I had a laugh like Jimmy Carr.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 September 2025 source ↗

“You pinko!” by a Tory minister signing off at the end of an interview with me during the EU referendum campaign.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 March 2024 source ↗

My father was a very macho, controlling man and we clashed a lot. He told me that I would never be able to keep a husband with my attitude. He was right! I’ve had two short, unsuccessful marriages.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 October 2023 source ↗

More from Mark Radcliffe

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Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

Working in a bottle factory, which lasted one day, and the Radio 1 breakfast show.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

A nice long rest.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

Having three great daughters, having been on the radio for nearly 50 years and not being dead.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

The Radio 1 breakfast show was an embarrassing moment that lasted for nine months.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

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

Throat and neck cancer in 2018. They told me six to eight months if it hadn’t been caught.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

A drummer in a famous band or an astronaut.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

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