Paul McKenna: Which moment embarrassed you most?

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Paul McKenna said elsewhere, not written here

I was in Kensington Gardens and this couple stopped me and said: “Hey, could we get a picture? I said: “Sure.” I put my arms around their shoulders, and they looked at me and said: “No, can you take a picture of us?”

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 January 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Su Pollard

Gloria Hunniford’s wedding at Hever Castle 20-odd years ago. We had a lovely buffet and a few drinks and then I had to get a cab back to the train station. I said to the driver: “I’m ever so sorry, but I’m not going to be able to hang on till I get to the train. Could you possibly take me down this alleyway?” He said: “Yes, of course.” As I prepared myself to go “to the ladies”, this police car came along and the policeman said: “Hi-de-Hi!”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗

Nikki Amuka-Bird

Being an actor is inherently embarrassing. You have to embrace it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 May 2025 source ↗

Tamsin Greig

Throwing up all over the red velvet seats in the House of Lords on a school trip, aged nine.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 May 2025 source ↗

Richard Coles British musician, writer, presenter and priest

My paso doble on Strictly Come Dancing would be hard to beat.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 June 2023 source ↗