Bear Grylls: How close have you come to death?

How close have you come to death?

Originally asked

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

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

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

Recorded Bear Grylls said elsewhere, not written here

Where do I begin? There have been a lot.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 January 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Irvine Welsh Scottish novelist

When a pal grabbed hold of me as I fell into an unbanistered stairwell at a rave. Would have been curtains, but for his sharp reaction.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 December 2016 source ↗

Rita Wilson American actress, singer, and producer

Having breast cancer.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 April 2023 source ↗

Gloria Steinem Writer and feminist organiser

I’ve had cancer three times, but never felt close to death except when I walked between parked cars on my street and a car sped past my nose.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 March 2017 source ↗

Tess Daly English television presenter

On a motorway three years ago. An HGV hadn’t seen me and pulled out. My father-in-law’s a truck driver and he said black cars are not very visible. I don’t drive them any more.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 December 2016 source ↗