Philip Treacy: Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

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

Recorded Philip Treacy said elsewhere, not written here

The Queen, because she's kept hats alive in the imagination of people all over the world.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 August 2014 source ↗

Others on this question

kd lang Canadian musician

My mother. I am always fascinated by her, and I get schooled every time I’m around her.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 May 2021 source ↗

Kevin Rowland British singer

Gerry Adams, because he’s got incredible integrity and vision, and he’s had to put up with so much flak.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 August 2025 source ↗

Hayley Squires English actress and playwright

Two friends who work for the NHS, Jason and Kate. One is a paramedic and one has been moved to work in an ICU.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 April 2020 source ↗

David Guetta French DJ

People worship music artists or actors but I have a lot of admiration for doctors, people who save lives.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 December 2017 source ↗

As a child growing up in Ireland, on a beautiful day playing on what was known as a cock of hay (or haystack).

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 August 2014 source ↗

My friends dying: Alexander (McQueen), Isabella (Blow), a friend of cancer last year.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 August 2014 source ↗

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