Lemn Sissay: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

LS

Lemn Sissay

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

When I was a child, a member of staff at Wood End Assessment Centre [a former children’s home in Wigan] bellowed: “He copies them poems off of Bob Marley records.”

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

Others on this question

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The second agent I had said: “The thing is, you look like something but then you open your mouth.” So I got myself a sketch show and left, and she lost out.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 August 2026 source ↗

Hasn’t happened yet, it’s coming.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 April 2026 source ↗

The melanoma has returned in your lung.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2025 source ↗

“I would love to go on a date with you, but I’d be too embarrassed.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 March 2025 source ↗

More from Lemn Sissay

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

The Prince and Princess of Wales for not knowing when to leave their home.

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

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

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 ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

Life is not worth living if there is no one you would die for.

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

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

That I can’t write.

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

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I spent my life searching for family. I travelled around the world to look each one of them in the eye. Unfortunately, but understandably, for most of them, I am their biggest disappointment.

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

Question If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

I would build relationships. I would remember people’s significant moments. I would not fear closeness.

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

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