Paul O'Grady: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? — FLAPSS

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

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.

PO

Paul O'Grady

British comedian, actor and television presenter

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

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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Colson Whitehead

Opening day of The Empire Strikes Back, 86th Street Loews.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, July 2023 source ↗

Marcus Brigstocke

Every morning when I go into our three-year-old’s room. He’s so happy to see you, it’s a moment of heaven.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 January 2025 source ↗

Chris Froome British cyclist

On the podium of the 100th Tour de France last year.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 June 2014 source ↗

The moment I knew I would spend my life with Lisa.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, February 2009 source ↗

More from Paul O'Grady

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Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Too many of my friends, family and peers dying.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 May 2009 source ↗

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

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.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2021 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

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.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2021 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

I had a bad heart attack 20 years ago: I think I slid off the mortal coil for about 30 seconds.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2021 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

To work in a dry cleaner’s.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2021 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

I don’t care, because I won’t be here.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2021 source ↗

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