Actress Miriam Margolyes has ignited a 'racism' controversy after using an offensive slang term to describe television presenter Andi Peters' skin color during a segment on the British talk show "This Morning." The incident occurred on Thursday when Margolyes, 85, was promoting her new book.
During the conversation, Margolyes referred to Peters as "high yalla," a dated and often offensive slang term used in the United States to describe a Black person with a light complexion. The exchange became visibly uncomfortable, with Peters noting that producers were becoming nervous and issuing warnings through his earpiece. Margolyes responded by saying, "Don't be nervous. We welcome everybody. That's what I want to write about in my book. It's about inclusion."
The specific segment featuring the controversial comment has since been removed from the ITVX streaming version of the show. Representatives for ITV and Margolyes have been contacted for comment.
Viewers reacted sharply on social media, with many accusing Margolyes of racism. Comments on Twitter included sentiments such as "Miriam Margolyes just sounds like a run of the mill racist here. It’s very uncomfortable viewing" and "Imagine being called a slur that hasn’t been heard, in English, for like a hundred years." Some users argued the term was reminiscent of 19th-century American racism. However, others questioned the accusation, with some suggesting it was ignorance rather than malice.
This is not the first time Margolyes has faced scrutiny for her outspoken remarks. In 2024, the BBC edited out a comment she made on air about Charles Dickens' character Fagin, whom she described as "Jewish and vile." Margolyes, who is Jewish, was discussing her experiences with Dickens' work when she made the comment about the "Oliver Twist" villain. The BBC stated the comment should have been challenged at the time.
Margolyes' career has been marked by a reputation for candor, and her recent remarks have once again drawn public attention to her use of language and its impact.