Alison Steadman
British actress
I repeat stories (like my mum used to).
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2009 source ↗
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Question
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Daily life
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
Question
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
Question
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Identity & self
Question
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Death & what remains
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's The Q&A has retained this Proust-derived prompt from at least 2007 through 2026, and ABC independently put it to the Obamas in 2011.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
I interrupt too much.
Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2008 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 242 →Conflict aversion.
Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2024 source ↗
Oversharing my personal life, but here we are, oversharing!
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 February 2025 source ↗
Sharon Corr
Musical artist
Procrastination.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 June 2023 source ↗
More from Julie Andrews
View profile →A cure for arthritis.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗
In London. When Blake [Edwards, her husband since 1969] made me laugh so much I wept. Blake says I slept with a smile.
Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2008 source ↗
I saw a very expensive painting by a wonderful American painter called Charles Burchfield. I really loved it – it hit me in the solar plexus – and I thought if I did three extra concerts on tour, I might be able to afford it. And I did.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗
Losing my singing voice. I had to have an operation and unfortunately it was not successful. I’ve not been able to sing since.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗
A botanist or a florist.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗
Something triumphant, I couldn’t tell you what but something vibrant and joyous.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗
More on identity & self
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Adam Kay, Adam Lambert, Adele Parks, Adrian Dunbar, Al Franken, Alex Hassell
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