The question
What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
When I landed the role in Soldier Soldier. I thought, “Oh my goodness, I’m going to be doing something that makes me happy, I’m doing it abroad and they’re going to pay me.” I was 26.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 January 2019 source ↗
Probably last night, when I went into my sons’ bedroom and kissed them on their smelly heads.
This year's a pretty good year.
In the 90s. I am pretty happy now, but back then I didn’t have the heavier things that life brings as you get older.
Any recent gathering with friends and family; yesterday, running by the ocean; anytime, solving a problem or creating something. Right now, in bed with news and popcorn.
Surviving the entertainment industry.
I did a TV job, Ain’t Misbehavin’, purely for the money. I was disappointed with myself and, inevitably, incredibly unhappy.
Fireworks. I was given a pyrotechnics course by my son for my 40th birthday, so I do displays. I can average five to 10 grand on one display.
Dominic Cooper, Alexander Armstrong, Alison Steadman, Donny Osmond, Angela Griffin, Don Warrington
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