Terry O'Neill: What did you want to be when you were growing up? — FLAPSS

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Originally asked

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

This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.

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

Recorded Terry O'Neill said elsewhere, not written here

A jazz drummer.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Others on this question

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Michael Stipe American singer

Archaeologist, pop star, store cashier.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 January 2020 source ↗

Nick Grimshaw English television and radio presenter

Genuinely, the host of Radio 1’s Breakfast Show.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 June 2017 source ↗

Serena Williams United States professional tennis player, 1995–2022

A veterinarian.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 January 2021 source ↗

Mo Farah British track and field athlete

A mechanic when I was a little kid, and then, when I came to the UK, I wanted to play professional football.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 April 2019 source ↗

More from Terry O'Neill

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Question How close have you come to death? Death & what remains

I was invited to Sharon Tate’s house the night she was murdered. I declined the invite due to jetlag.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Question What song would you like played at your funeral? Death & what remains

Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Question What has been your biggest disappointment? Failure & regret

Not photographing Marilyn Monroe.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Question When were you happiest? Time & hindsight

I’ve been happy all my life.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Question What most recently made you cry? Identity & self

I cry about 10 times a week. I’m a real softy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

Question Which living person do you most admire, and why? Values & belief

Eden Hazard, a true sportsman.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 January 2017 source ↗

More on identity & self

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