Shirley Hughes: 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 Shirley Hughes said elsewhere, not written here

My sons for their bravery, and my daughter and daughters-in-law for being working mothers and always being able to make me laugh.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 January 2012 source ↗

Others on this question

Archie Panjabi British actress

Mathew Varghese, an orthopaedic surgeon who runs India’s only polio ward in Delhi. He provides reconstructive surgery to help survivors walk.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 February 2018 source ↗

Mel Giedroyc British actress and comedian

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

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

Sickeningly, it’s probably my wife, because she’s a legend.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 February 2026 source ↗

Robert Carlyle Scottish actor

I'm a great admirer of Tony Benn -he's one of the few politicians who speaks his mind.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 February 2008 source ↗

Wandering around with my sketchbook in some lovely Italian town.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 January 2012 source ↗

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