Andi Oliver: How close have you come to death?

How close have you come to death?

Originally asked

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

A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

Recorded Andi Oliver said elsewhere, not written here

I broke both my legs in a hit-and run accident when I was 26.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 December 2021 source ↗

Others on this question

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Peter Capaldi Actor and director

Death is always close.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 June 2021 source ↗

Gemma Chan British Chinese actress

In 2012 I stared into the eyes of someone who had just stabbed a man in the neck on the street. I was trying to help the victim; for a very long three or four seconds, I thought he was going to come for me next.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 August 2018 source ↗

Eve Ensler American playwright, performer, feminist, and activist

Nine years ago I discovered I had stage 3/4 uterine cancer and went through nine months of excruciating surgery, illness and chemotherapy. In that time, I touched death and it was the most powerful transformation of my life. I was forced to learn to take care of my body.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 June 2019 source ↗

Jo Nesbø Norwegian writer and musician

Rock climbing in Oslo. During abseiling, I hadn’t tied a knot at the end of the rope and almost slid out. I saw the end of the rope at the last second, so I stopped abseiling.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 April 2026 source ↗