Failure & regret

Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?

209 answers answered between 1998 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

Originally asked

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

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On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Robert Carlyle Scottish actor
To John, a really close friend who died last year. I'd love to see him one more time and say, 'Look, I'm sorry I wasn't around enough during your life.'
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 February 2008 source ↗
Omid Djalili British stand-up comedian and actor
To my 17-year-old daughter Isabella, whom I described in an interview last year as "keen on maths".
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 August 2010 source ↗
Heidi Klum German-American model and TV host
When I was little, this boy would bully my friend and me all the time. One day, on our way home, we held him, put him to the ground and pushed his face full on into this big dog poo, and I’d like to say sorry.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 April 2016 source ↗
Melanie Chisholm British pop singer
The Spice Girls – Mel B, Geri and Emma – who wanted to mark our 20th anniversary, and the fans. It was not something I felt comfortable doing.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 October 2016 source ↗
Nicola Walker British actress
To anyone I’ve worked with between 5.30am and 8.30am. I am not a morning person.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 January 2017 source ↗
Lucy Worsley English historian
To my brother. When he was a small boy, I made him urinate on an electric fence to see if liquid could really transmit electricity.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 May 2017 source ↗
To strangers. Living in New York, I see individuals every day who are invisible to so many. I want to say sorry that so many of us think their pain and suffering is not our own.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 May 2017 source ↗
Ashley Jensen Scottish actress and narrator
To anyone who gets into my car, because it’s such a mess.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2017 source ↗
Julie Hesmondhalgh English actress and narrator
To all those whose fleeting interaction with me has fallen short of what they’d hoped; the unwitting recipients of my occasional grumpiness.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 February 2018 source ↗
Emilia Fox English actress and presenter
Any writer who thinks I’ve ruined their work in performance.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 October 2018 source ↗
Rose McGowan American actress and activist
The trans community because I didn’t use the correct words, but I’ve learned from my mistake.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 December 2018 source ↗
Dominic West English actor
To Mark Smith, a boy we bullied at primary school. I’ve always felt terrible about it.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 December 2018 source ↗
Martin Freeman English actor
I say it a lot to my kids when I’ve lost my temper, and I’ll save up a big one for when they are 18.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 January 2019 source ↗
David Gandy British model
I pulled a chair away from a girl who was just about to sit down on our second day of primary school. She farted when she hit the floor and everyone laughed.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 April 2020 source ↗
Emily Mortimer British actress
Our dog, Snowy. He’s a miniature poodle, and he’s needy and really irritating as a result.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 October 2020 source ↗

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