I used to be an ear-piercing specialist when I was 16, and had to pierce babies’ ears. It was horrendous. I had to practise on my friends – several have misplaced piercings.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
The question
What is the worst job you have ever had?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.
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Others on this question
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Jack Whitehall
English comedian, actor, presenter and writer
It’s also one of the best jobs I’ve done, but two hours in, when everyone’s pissed and ignoring you, hosting the Brit awards can be a tough gig.
Melanie Chisholm
British pop singer
Working in a chip shop when I was 16. I gave my friends massive portions, but the smell was gross.
Alison Moyet
English singer
A 12-hour nightshift at a toy factory in Southend.
Angela Hartnett
English chef
Washing up in the Ford factory canteen in Dagenham.
More from Steph McGovern
View profile →A poster for The Godfather, my favourite film, signed by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and everyone. I got drunk at a children’s charity auction and started buying everything!
Some famous people. I am not giving you names.
Falling off what we in Middlesbrough call a “tarzy”, a bungee rope. I was swinging on it, fell and broke my arm.
For Good, from the bit in Wicked the Musical where the two witches go their separate ways. The lyrics are about people coming to your life for a reason, who might not stay very long, but there’s a reason they’ve played a part in your life. I well up thinking about it.
On BBC Breakfast, I accidentally said “fuck” on air. My microphone had been turned on when I wasn’t in the room. It went out across the telly and they had to apologise.
Scary, because when you really love, it means that you are really scared of losing it as well.
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