Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?

To my teachers in high school - that I didn't punch them in the mouth for discouraging all my interests.

I didn't go to a retirement party once for someone who had been special to me and he died shortly after.

My two middle children, Mason and Jude. They will know why.

My parents, because growing up you think you know more than they do.

If I have upset someone, I have said sorry to him or her at the time.

A boy called Norman. When I came to England, I didn’t know what kiss-chase was, and Norman kissed me on the lips, so I gave him a black eye.

The man who asked me directions on the subway seven years ago: I am so sorry for sending you to Queens rather than to the Bronx.

To my first real boyfriend, for being so mean to him. But really I was just being mean to myself.

My mother, because I didn’t appreciate until after she’d gone that she was a vulnerable human being. I just expected her to know everything and be everything.

Sorry, I’m British and middle class, so I’ve already apologised to virtually everybody I have ever met.

Any fashion designer whose clothes on me must have made them weep.

My children. I was away an awful lot when they were little and not very good at being a father when I was around. I could have done better.

To my father, for not telling him the truth when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and going along with the family lie that he had hepatitis, when he knew he didn’t. At the age of 17, I lacked the courage and strength to stand up for what I believed.

Anyone I slept with before the age of 27, because I was a selfish, cold-ass bitch.

To my mum, for never being able to live up to what she would have liked me to be. She always wanted me to be a little princess and I was never going to be that.

My parents: I’m sorry I didn’t spend more time with them.

The people I never thanked for what they selflessly gave me in my career; when I was younger I just took it for granted.

There wasn’t a lot of bullying at my school, but there was a fair amount of ragging – and I knew which side I wanted to be on. I’d say sorry to anyone who felt picked on.

I wish I’d told my mother that, in all the years I knew her, she was never once boring. We weren’t demonstrative, so that would have meant that I loved her.

My dear friend Katy. I’m sorry that I couldn’t stop you from making the most devastating decision. She committed suicide.