Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?

To my wife Saadiya, for interrupting too many evenings, weekends and family holidays with work.

I’d like to say sorry to my mother. I had to choose between my parents, and I chose my father because he didn’t have any other kids. (My mother was a war widow and had two children from her first marriage.) I thought, in a childish way, that one had to be fair. It was very difficult for my mother and me, and we never really got over it.

I behaved badly with two old lovers. Years later, when I took one to lunch to apologise, it made it worse.

Luke. It’s hard growing up with a heroin addict, and I treated him in his vulnerability in a way I would never have treated anyone I worked with.

My mother, because I didn’t appreciate how proud she was of me being deputy prime minister. She ended up doing more press than me, and I was too sensitive and reacted.

To everyone who has been out with me and had to deal with my lack of emotional maturity.

Every offended interviewee who thought I was asking hard questions for some personal reason. It’s never personal.

Katie Whittaker. When we were at school, I told her I knew Take That, and I didn’t.

My maternal grandmother, who lived with us for many years. I was a moody teenager and sometimes impatient and rude. Yet she was the person I feel I’m most like. I really miss her.

I am too ashamed to answer.

Today’s children and young people – we’ve let them down by not doing more to prevent the nature and climate crisis, and left them such a huge responsibility.

To my daughters and my partner, Tracey, for what I put them through with my transition.

Mum, because I never really knew how to cope with her alcoholism.