Frank Cottrell-Boyce: What is the worst job you have done?

What is the worst job you have done?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's long-running Q&A repeatedly asks this standing question, with minor tense variation.

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

Recorded Frank Cottrell-Boyce said elsewhere, not written here

I spent an advent in my late teens throttling turkeys.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Romola Garai

I’ve done some acting jobs where everybody’s gone out of their way to make sure that you feel annoying and easily replaceable.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 September 2024 source ↗

Victoria Pendleton British cyclist

Six weeks in my dad’s office doing admin was enough to persuade me to pursue a career in sport.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2017 source ↗

Greg James British author, broadcaster, comedian, and presenter

When I was at school, I had a summer job where I had to buff blocks of plastic for a display unit. The factory only remembered to give us masks on day three.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2019 source ↗

David Harewood British actor and presenter

I was a bailiff for half a morning. I couldn’t stand it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 November 2019 source ↗

More from Frank Cottrell-Boyce

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Question Which living person do you most admire, and why? Values & belief

So many. All childcarers and most primary teachers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought? Money & investment

I took the whole family to live in the Basque Country for a year. My children and I have a hereditary blood condition so I took out a health insurance policy. I’m still furious that none of us so much as stubbed a toe.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question Which moment embarrassed you most? Failure & regret

I once found myself chatting to a big handsome bloke at a party in Oslo. I said, “And what do you do?” “Well,” he said, “I am the king.” Being a great wordsmith, I zinged back, “Oh. Errm. Cool.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗