Esther Freud: How close have you come to dying?

The question

How close have you come to dying?

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.

Esther Freud

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My parents died within four days of each other. I was engulfed as I ran from one bedside to another.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 209 →

Sheryl Crow American singer-songwriter

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago, but so early that I knew it wasn’t a death sentence. Until we get a cure for cancer, early detection is our best hope.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 April 2017 source ↗

David Guetta French DJ

Fifteen years ago, a bacteria went to my heart. For three days they didn’t know if I was going to live or not.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 December 2017 source ↗

Tess Daly English television presenter

On a motorway three years ago. An HGV hadn’t seen me and pulled out. My father-in-law’s a truck driver and he said black cars are not very visible. I don’t drive them any more.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 December 2016 source ↗

Elaine Paige English singer and actress

One night in Cats, I missed my footing and nearly plunged more than 30ft. As if by magic, the stage manager’s hand appeared and winched me from certain death.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 September 2016 source ↗