Dawn O’Porter: What disappointment has stayed with you longest? — FLAPSS

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

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

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Dawn O’Porter

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Not winning Celebrity MasterChef. I am still gutted, despite many months of pretending to be fine with it.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Not playing James Bond.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2026 source ↗

Isabella Rossellini Italian and American actress

That my children never met my parents. They were both dead by the time I became a mamma.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2012 source ↗

Arlene Phillips

Being let go from Strictly.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 June 2025 source ↗

Imelda Staunton English actress and singer

Not working at the Royal Court until now.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 June 2013 source ↗

More from Dawn O’Porter

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Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

So far, getting older has made almost everything better.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Clothes moths (and the imminent threat of world war three).

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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

The early days of motherhood. We lived in a sweet little bungalow in LA that had a pool. We threw lots of parties. We had a cute dog and a mad Siamese. Trump had never been president, we’d never heard of coronavirus, Claire’s Accessories was still going strong. Good times.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

My Siamese cat, which I had freeze-dried after she died. I really think their future partners will like it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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

Hungry, hard-working, cats.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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