Now. Five years ago, I started looking after myself a bit more, emotionally and spiritually, and it’s paid dividends.
When were you happiest?
Question
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Death & what remains
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
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Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?
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What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
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How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
When I was 15, I went to a rugby match at Twickenham with my dad and we went back to his friend Hugh’s house and Hugh made me a perfect cup of tea. I just remember feeling really happy because it was such a brilliant day and I loved being with my dad.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 January 2020 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 576 →
Sara Cox
English broadcaster
Getting a daily show on Radio 2, because that was an ambition for so long.
Tommy Hilfiger
American fashion designer
At the birth of each of my children.
My first week in New York in 1978, when I was about to start as a writer at Time. And my first week in the south of France after retiring from my job of 25 years as editor of Vanity Fair.
More from Gemma Whelan
View profile →I want people to really, really cry so The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams.
Recovering from anorexia.
The fans’ reaction at the end of Game Of Thrones because I think it was brilliant.
To my husband for all the huffing and puffing.
It would be lovely if people thought I was kind.
I was very ill with anorexia when I was a teenager. I went into hospital voluntarily, otherwise they were going to section me.
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