Robert Carlyle
Scottish actor
The worst was as a butcher, aged 17.
What is the worst job you have done?
Question
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
Question
Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?
Failure & regret
Question
How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
Question
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Daily life
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
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.
I once had to dig a fire escape from a basement in a health club. It took two weeks.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 May 2018 source ↗
Others on this question
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Kathy Lette
Australian-British author
Bedpan emptier in a hospital.
I was the PE technician at my old secondary school, so I had to pump up all the balls, wash all the kits and get the form notes in before morning registration every day.
Julie Hesmondhalgh
English actress and narrator
I cleaned for a very posh lady in Knightsbridge who made me handwash her knickers. I’d advertised myself in The Lady as a dog walker, so I’m not sure how I ended up there.
More from Monty Don
View profile →At the time, losing our business, home and all our possessions in 1991 after the failure of our jewellery company. But if that had not happened then other good things would not have happened, either.
My children. I was away an awful lot when they were little and not very good at being a father when I was around. I could have done better.
Despite a stroke, cancer as a child and various dramas with chainsaws and tractors, the closest was probably when I choked on a lamb chop 25 years ago. Sarah performed the Heimlich manoeuvre and the lamb shot out.
Getting my 21-year-old knees back.
A tractor, 12 years ago. Bright yellow and still brilliant.
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