David Ajala: When were you most embarrassed? — FLAPSS

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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DA

David Ajala

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Helen Mirren was in the elevator with me at the National Theatre. She pressed the button but it didn’t move. I said, “Fancy seeing you here and being stuck in an elevator.” And she said, “Was that meant to be funny?” I apologised, and she laughed. Even talking about it now, it feels so awkward and embarrassing.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Ed Harris American actor and director

Modelling tuxedos at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1971.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 August 2007 source ↗

Fay Ripley English actress, television presenter, cookbook author

See my greatest fear!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 November 2022 source ↗

I’ve shat myself in public three times. It’s never quite as bad as you fear.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Dancing on stage with an open fly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 April 2025 source ↗

More from David Ajala

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Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

I don’t think anything scares me. It’s a gift and I want to embrace it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

Finding a tenner in your jeans pocket. It has always been there but you find it at the moment you really need it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

When I was naive to the complexities of life.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Curious, playful and silly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

Telesales – having to sell terrible kitchens. I thought, maybe I’m not a good actor because I can’t even convince myself that these kitchens are worth paying for.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

To a resistant materials teacher at secondary school called Mr Noel. He had a comb-over and whenever he turned his back to write on the blackboard, we would roll up bits of paper and launch them at his head. Once, I hit him. I remember him turning around and looking crestfallen.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

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