Mel Giedroyc: Which living person do you most admire, and why?

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 Mel Giedroyc said elsewhere, not written here

Probably my husband. In a world of bullshitters, he steers a tremendously honest course.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 August 2015 source ↗

Others on this question

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Tamsin Greig

Nick Cave for his determination to hold a space for public discourse on the deep and difficult and mysterious elements of life.

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

Brian Cox Scottish actor

My friend Billy Connolly, for his incredible sense of humour and wit. But greater than that is Billy’s courage and sheer chutzpah, to take his Parkinson’s and make it central to his brilliance as a performer.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 July 2016 source ↗

John Malkovich American actor

I admire the mother of my children a great deal, because she’s interesting, smart and funny.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 March 2018 source ↗

Ronald Harwood South African playwright and novelist

Murray Perahia, because he is a great pianist, and temporarily lost the use of one hand, which prevented him from playing. His courage was beyond description.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 November 2016 source ↗