Fearne Cotton: Which trait in yourself do you like least? — FLAPSS

The question

Which trait in yourself do you like least?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's The Q&A has retained this Proust-derived prompt from at least 2007 through 2026, and ABC independently put it to the Obamas in 2011.

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

FC

Fearne Cotton

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Impatience. I’m not very good at waiting around or dealing with things that aren’t moving at a pace that I want them to.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Pauline McLynn Irish character actress and author

I talk over people all the time.

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

The tendency to withdraw into myself.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2009 source ↗

Nikki Amuka-Bird

Lack of confidence masquerading as perfectionism.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 May 2025 source ↗

Johnny Flynn British actor and musician

Control freakery in the kitchen.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 April 2022 source ↗

More from Fearne Cotton

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

The more you face shame and stare it in the eyes and talk about it, the less potent it is.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

People have said, “I wish you would die.” That’s the stark truth of being in the public eye – people dehumanise you and say ghastly things.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

On radio, I once said “anal” instead of “angel”.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Superiority. I shrink when I’m around people who act superior, whether it’s due to authority or intellect. I almost become mute.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

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

I assumed that once I reached some level of achievement, I would feel fixed.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

Picking myself back up after very tricky times and trying again.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

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