Adam Kay: If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? — FLAPSS

The question

If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change?

Originally asked

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

Repeated verbatim in The Guardian's long-running Saturday Q&A; two publisher-hosted examples establish recurrence.

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Adam Kay

British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I could have done without being sexually assaulted, or having an eating disorder, or pushing myself to breaking point, but every chapter of my life brought me here.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 203 →

All the times I was mean to someone.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 July 2025 source ↗

My friend Fritha Goodey wouldn’t have committed suicide.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Felicity Jones British actress

I wouldn’t change anything. Life is what it is, you just have to get on with it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 May 2023 source ↗

I’m not thrilled with my lack of commitment to feminism in my 20s.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

More from Adam Kay

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Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

A reviewer once called me “artistically bankrupt”, and it doesn’t feel like reviews can get much worse than that.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Self-destruction.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I’ve never been upgraded on a plane.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

When my cold toes drain the heat from his warm ones, but he doesn’t mind at all and is happy for our tarsal temperatures to meet in the middle.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

A comedy gig at an army barracks for thousands of angry, horny squaddies just back from six months in the desert. I was on straight after the stripper.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

In the one photo I’ve seen where my smile looks convincing – I’m four years old, so I’m guessing then. But I just won a Bafta and that felt amazing, too. So, roughly every 40 years.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

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