Philippa Dunne: What did you want to be when you were growing up? — FLAPSS

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Originally asked

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

This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.

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

Recorded Philippa Dunne said elsewhere, not written here

An actor. I watched a lot of TV because we lived in the countryside and the weather was so bad.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Fay Ripley English actress, television presenter, cookbook author

Donny Osmond’s wife. Still do.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 November 2022 source ↗

Robert Bathurst English theatre and television actor

Wimbledon champion. I won the title frequently when playing against a pebbledash wall at home in Ireland.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2020 source ↗

Giovanna Fletcher

An actress. I started when I was 13 at theatre school. My first assembly, Tom and I were sat next to each other.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

Aidan Gillen Irish actor

A stuntman. Evel Knievel was an icon.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 May 2017 source ↗

More from Philippa Dunne

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Question When were you happiest? Time & hindsight

Any time I’m in rehearsals.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Time & hindsight

You are your own greatest asset.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What is your greatest fear? Identity & self

I’ve a phobia of statues. It does go back to childhood. My parents brought me to look at a French church late at night. Since then I can’t deal with them.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What scares you about getting older? Time & hindsight

Becoming invisible.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question What is the worst thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Someone once saw me in a play and said that I was disgusting.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

Question Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought? Money & investment

A wedding ring.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2026 source ↗

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