Comedian Gina Yashere has publicly criticized television presenter Andi Peters' response to actress Miriam Margolyes' use of a racial slur during a recent appearance on the ITV program This Morning. Margolyes, 85, referred to Peters, 56, as a "high yalla," an offensive term historically used in the U.S. to describe Black individuals with lighter complexions, while questioning his ethnicity and skin tone.

Yashere, 51, described Peters' reaction as "passive" and suggested that he has been unacquainted with or uncomfortable about his Black identity for decades. In a video shared online, Yashere stated, "I don't think he's known that he's black for at least the last 35 years."

The comedian also recounted an alleged past encounter at ITV studios, where she claimed Peters appeared to avoid a group of Black friends and family, including herself, despite being fans of his work. "I was on a talent show… I was walking down the hallway of the ITV studios with my black friends and family. We saw Andi Peters walking towards us and we are all big fans [of Peters] … I don't think he could have run away from this group of black people faster… I never forgot that," Yashere said.

During the segment on This Morning, Margolyes questioned Peters about his accent and background, initially impersonating a Northern Irish accent. When Peters stated his accent was normal for him, Margolyes responded, "Oh, you're a mix, aren't you? You've got a black daddy and a white mummy." Peters corrected her, clarifying that both his parents are Black. He then joked about his appearance, asking, "What have they put on me, am I a lighter shade than normal?"

Margolyes then used the term "high yalla," explaining, "Oh, when someone isn't deeply black, right?" Peters replied, "I didn't even know there were shades," to which Margolyes responded, "There are shades."

The exchange, which producers reportedly signaled to Peters about through his earpiece, was subsequently removed from the ITVX version of the interview and circulated on social media, drawing criticism.

Margolyes later addressed the incident at an event promoting her memoir, stating she had not intended to embarrass or hurt Peters. She explained her fascination with people's identities and how they perceive themselves and are perceived by others, regardless of race, background, or physical characteristics. "I wanted to know what he thought about it because that's what interests me," she said. "How do black people feel? How do brown people feel? How do cripples feel? How do fat people feel?"

A representative for Peters has been contacted for comment.