Being untruthful.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Question
When was the last time you changed your mind about something?
Change of mind
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
Question
What scares you about getting older?
Time & hindsight
Question
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Identity & self
Question
Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?
Failure & regret
Question
What would you like to leave your children?
Death & what remains
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A verbatim standing question in The Guardian's rotating Q&A questionnaire, documented across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Jealousy. It’s the thief of joy.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 204 →
Jason Derulo
American singer and songwriter
The need to put other people down.
Dolly Parton
American singer-songwriter, actress and businesswoman
Dishonesty and being late for appointments.
I don’t like fake people, impostors.
More from Helen Skelton
View profile →There’s a house near me that I adore and it came up for sale, and I got to the point of nearly buying it and then pulled out because I’m trying to be sensible.
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.
Losing my eyesight – I live for the view, and the sunset and the sunrise.
Chaotic, warm, northern.
To Gorka Márquez, who was my Strictly partner, for not winning the glitterball in 2022.
Good memories. When I’m gone, I want them to feel that they were always my No 1 priority.
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