Rose Ayling-Ellis
British actress
“I’ll tell you later.” They never do.
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Question
What does love feel like?
Relationships
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Identity & self
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Question
What is the worst job you have done?
Craft & work
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
In school, I was 11, and we had to paint a picture of family life. My painting was held up to the class and I was told it looked like a spider with ink on its feet had walked across the page. It was done so viciously – humiliating.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 June 2025 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 122 →
Cybill Shepherd
American actress and former model
A review that said I had the charm of a hamster.
“Let’s face it, you’re not Ingrid Bergman.” I was 19 and he was a potential boyfriend. My only thought at the time was: “I’m not?”
Michael Ball
English singer, presenter and actor
“Unfortunately, Michael, I don’t think you’re ever going to work in the acting profession until you’re about 40, and then it’ll only be in minor character roles.” Drama teacher at Guildford School of Acting.
More from Arlene Phillips
View profile →One after the other, thoughts come banging in – and it’s no sleep for you tonight, dearie.
Like you’ve got hot-water bottles all over you.
Life is never fair.
Loving, creative, demanding.
Carlos Acosta, for his incredible achievement in dance.
In a Dagenham factory at 6am, picking soldiers’ greatcoats from wars around the world to sell at the market in Chelsea. I smelled like mothballs, and no one would come near me.
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