Griff Rhys Jones
British actor and comedian
An actor. Then I grew out of that and became one by default. Or sort of one: “Not really an actor”, said Michael Billington.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Question
What is the worst job you have done?
Craft & work
Question
How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
Question
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Daily life
Question
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Identity & self
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.
I was a huge daydreamer and imagined myself as a successful general leading his troops into battle.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 March 2025 source ↗
Others on this question
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Vick Hope
British television and radio presenter
J-Lo, a foreign correspondent and, at uni, I assumed that someone would tap me on the shoulder and ask me to be in MI6, but it never happened.
Dominic West
English actor
I wanted to race cars.
A singer. I wanted to live off music ever since I was a child – a wish that came true when I was over 35 years old.
More from Chris Bonington
View profile →Whenever things seem absolutely terrible, to see that you’re alive and that’s all that matters.
It’s my snoring that keeps Loreto awake!
I left the army and got a job with Unilever in Northern Ireland. They were very strict and you had to have a hat, and when you went into a shop you had to raise your hat to the shopkeeper and then sell your wares. I was selling margarine.
There are so many instances when I’ve come very close to death that it’s difficult to pick one.
Becoming more physically active.
Resourceful, resilient and compassionate.
More on identity & self
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Gareth Bale, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Hoy, Mo Farah, Johanna Konta, Ivan Lendl
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