Letter To My Younger Self
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’

Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’
At 16, all he wanted was an Olympic medal, but injuries held him back. Being Nitro from Gladiators has made up for it
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’

Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’
The 16-year-old who nervously stepped into politics would be impressed by her future achievements… and appalled by her wardrobe
Marie Kondo: ‘I didn’t think much about the opposite sex – I was completely absorbed in tidying’
Marie Kondo: ‘I didn’t think much about the opposite sex – I was completely absorbed in tidying’
Her childhood tidying obsession made her a global icon, with bestsellers and a hit TV show. Since becoming a mother she’s embraced imperfection
Renowned heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub: ‘It’s essential in life, and in science in particular, to be humble’
Renowned heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub: ‘It’s essential in life, and in science in particular, to be humble’
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern: ‘Door-knocking for politics is easier than door-knocking for God’
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern: ‘Door-knocking for politics is easier than door-knocking for God’
Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’

Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’
Kae Tempest: ‘Seeing all these young queer and gender queer people makes me feel so happy’

Kae Tempest: ‘Seeing all these young queer and gender queer people makes me feel so happy’
Dermot O’Leary: ‘I was bricking it when I started The X Factor’

Dermot O’Leary: ‘I was bricking it when I started The X Factor’
Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page: ‘I didn’t feel safe at drama school – we were told we were s**t’

Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page: ‘I didn’t feel safe at drama school – we were told we were s**t’
Lang Lang: ‘People thought working with Metallica would destroy my classical career’

Lang Lang: ‘People thought working with Metallica would destroy my classical career’
Charlotte Church: ‘The press desperately tried to make me a figure of sin’

Charlotte Church: ‘The press desperately tried to make me a figure of sin’
Bad Seed Warren Ellis: ‘Painful things make you a better version of yourself’

Bad Seed Warren Ellis: ‘Painful things make you a better version of yourself’
Composer John Rutter: ‘If there are people you love, for goodness’ sake tell them’

Composer John Rutter: ‘If there are people you love, for goodness’ sake tell them’
Huey Morgan: ‘My 16-year-old self would be surprised that I’m still here’

Huey Morgan: ‘My 16-year-old self would be surprised that I’m still here’
David Mitchell: ‘I wanted to be prime minister when I was a teenager – like Winston Churchill’

David Mitchell: ‘I wanted to be prime minister when I was a teenager – like Winston Churchill’
Ronan Keating: ‘We’re all scarred by what we went through in the 90s’

Ronan Keating: ‘We’re all scarred by what we went through in the 90s’
Belinda Carlisle: ‘I never felt like I was good enough or that I was worthy’

Belinda Carlisle: ‘I never felt like I was good enough or that I was worthy’
Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’

Leona Lewis: ‘I would tell young Leona, I see your pain and I feel you – but you’ll be OK’
The One Show’s Alex Jones: ‘I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift’

The One Show’s Alex Jones: ‘I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift’
Mark Gatiss: ‘All my childhood dreams came true. There’s nothing left except James Bond’

Mark Gatiss: ‘All my childhood dreams came true. There’s nothing left except James Bond’
Eric Idle: ‘George Harrison mortgaged his house so Monty Python could make Life of Brian’

Eric Idle: ‘George Harrison mortgaged his house so Monty Python could make Life of Brian’
Cricket legend James Anderson: ‘It doesn’t get better than winning the Ashes in Australia’

Cricket legend James Anderson: ‘It doesn’t get better than winning the Ashes in Australia’
Cynthia Erivo: ‘The moment I came out as queer, that’s when everything made sense’

Cynthia Erivo: ‘The moment I came out as queer, that’s when everything made sense’
Ex-England star Alex Scott: ‘I went from playing football on my council estate to World Cups’

Ex-England star Alex Scott: ‘I went from playing football on my council estate to World Cups’
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey: ‘My first political meeting was being dragged to a Tory disco’
