Eleanor Tomlinson: Which moment embarrassed you most?

Originally asked

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

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

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Eleanor Tomlinson said elsewhere, not written here

I’ve never seen Star Wars (I know!) and on my first day of a recent job, I’m sitting next to this very friendly actor. I ask if he has much experience with motion capture. He says, “Yes.” I say “Oh great! What have you worked on?” He says, “I’m Mark Hamill.”

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Naga Munchetty

I was 17 and about to go on a first date with my first boyfriend. I was so desperate for my mum not to meet him that I was trying to get to the door before she did. I ran down the stairs as she opened it, and slid down the last five steps on my arse.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 July 2025 source ↗

Belinda Carlisle American singer

On stage in Tasmania, I tripped over a floor monitor and landed on my back like a turtle, kicking my legs in the air trying to get back on my feet in front of about 5,000 people. But when I got on my feet, the whole crowd roared in triumph.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 March 2023 source ↗

Mark Radcliffe

The Radio 1 breakfast show was an embarrassing moment that lasted for nine months.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 August 2025 source ↗

Lemn Sissay

Also my most triumphant: 2017 at the Royal Court. Julie Hesmondhalgh reads my psychologist’s report over two hours. Every excruciating intimate word of it. Extreme verbatim theatre. One night only.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 October 2023 source ↗