Just. Hanging. On.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Question
What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
Question
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
Taste & recommendation
Question
What would you like to leave your children?
Death & what remains
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
What scares you about getting older?
Time & hindsight
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this exact standing prompt.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Chaotic, warm, northern.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 111 →Curious, thoughtful and kind.
Very silly boy.
Small, determined, lucky.
More from Helen Skelton
View profile →As someone who made you think that anything’s possible. I did three marathons in a day once but walking the high-wire at Battersea Park station was the challenge I loved most because I had to master a skill.
My new year resolution is actually to read all the classics and I’m ashamed that I haven’t read everything by the Brontë sisters.
Good memories. When I’m gone, I want them to feel that they were always my No 1 priority.
Getting to the end and thinking that I haven’t laughed enough.
Losing my eyesight – I live for the view, and the sunset and the sunrise.
After the 2012 Olympics I hosted the parade. I had on a little skirt and when the prime minister came on everyone cheered. I thought: “Oh my God, they love David Cameron,” but they were cheering because my skirt had blown up, and I’d flashed my knickers at him.
More on identity & self
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Alex Lawther, Jon Snow, PP Arnold, Chris Bonington, Jack Dee, Chris McCausland
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