Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
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The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 May 2026 source ↗
When my trousers nearly fell down at Buckingham Palace. I was there to collect my OBE, and the suspenders for the beautiful Alexander McQueen suit I’d had made for the occasion went missing. Naomi Campbell was with me and we had a good laugh about it.
Modelling tuxedos at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1971.
Forgetting the words to my own songs on stage. I’m a very good mumbler of my own songs. You’d be surprised how few people notice – if you smile and do it confidently, they’re none the wiser.
I once threw up on the shoes of one of my vocal heroes, the Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan. He sent me home in a taxi with a towel.
Doing a compulsory standup routine in my first week of drama school.
Sign up to Inside Saturday
I’d swap out a few boyfriends.
Anyone who can pick up a house spider with their bare hands.
Try not to take yourself too seriously.
A perfect cup of coffee – warm, bittersweet, anxiety-inducing and delicious.
Alison Steadman, Paul McKenna, Brandi Carlile, Michael Ball, Pauline McLynn, Stockard Channing
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