EL James
British author
Belfast 1994, when my first son was born.
When were you happiest?
Question
What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
Question
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Identity & self
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Death & what remains
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Failure & regret
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What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
When I hit 30 and managed to get a council flat in London. It was in the most terrible state, but it was bliss to have a flat of my own.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2021 source ↗
Others on this question
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Nish Kumar
British stand-up comedian and presenter
Right now. I think I was born in my early 30s and I am finally catching up to my age. It’s fine to be a bit like Frasier now, but it’s probably not ideal when you are 12.
Keeley Hawes
British actress
I am happiest now.
Speech Debelle
Musical artist
When my album was made in June.
More from Paul O'Grady
View profile →I don’t care, because I won’t be here.
I had a midlife crisis and paid 70 grand for a Morgan AeroMax which looked just like Cruella de Vil’s car. I was in a permanent state of terror and soon sold it.
To work in a dry cleaner’s.
I had a bad heart attack 20 years ago: I think I slid off the mortal coil for about 30 seconds.
Too many of my friends, family and peers dying.
When I watched a series called Pose. The hospital scenes took me right back to when we were going through the Aids years. It’s the same with It’s a Sin.
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