Bertie Carvel: How close have you come to death?

How close have you come to death?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Bertie Carvel said elsewhere, not written here

I held my mother’s hand as she passed away.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

Others on this question

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Steph McGovern Broadcaster

Falling off what we in Middlesbrough call a “tarzy”, a bungee rope. I was swinging on it, fell and broke my arm.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗

Kathy Lette Australian-British author

Hitchhiking across Australia as a teenager, relying on the kindness of passing serial killers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 June 2024 source ↗

Munroe Bergdorf

Before transitioning, I had a severe eating disorder. The doctor said, “Your body’s shutting down and if you don’t improve your mental and physical wellbeing, you’ll die.” Shortly after that, I started transitioning medically and my eating disorder resolved.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 July 2025 source ↗

Adam Peaty British swimmer; Olympic champion 2016 and 2021