Actress Miriam Margolyes has again drawn criticism for her outspoken comments, most recently for remarks made during a television interview that prompted ITV bosses to intervene. During an appearance on "This Morning," Margolyes referred to presenter Andi Peters as "high yalla," an outdated and offensive term used in the U.S. to describe a Black person with a light complexion, while inquiring about his race. The segment was subsequently removed from the ITVX recording, and Margolyes' comments have circulated widely on social media.
This is not the first time Margolyes has sparked controversy. In 2020, she generated over 500 complaints to Ofcom for expressing a death wish for then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he was hospitalized with COVID-19. During an appearance on Channel 4's "The Last Leg," she stated, "I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die. I wanted him to die." She later added that while she wanted him to get better, he did not improve as a person, a sentiment she expressed she would prefer.
Margolyes has also faced backlash for her commentary on Jewish identity and Israel. In a 2024 interview, she claimed that "the essential decency and compassion of the Jewish people has been squeezed out, evaporated." She connected this to the impact of Hitler, stating that Israel had turned into a "vicious, genocidal, nationalist nation." The actress, who was born into a Jewish family, explained that her views on Israel have led to the loss of close friends, including one in Israel who ended their friendship over her remarks. Margolyes stated she has "no regrets" about her comments, asserting, "I know I'm right" about the "immorality of the Israeli position on Gaza and the activities of the Netanyahu government."
Further instances of Margolyes' controversial statements include a remark made to BBC Radio 4 listeners in which she expressed her desire to tell Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, "f*** you, you b*****d!" She reportedly believed she was off-air at the time, despite a warning from the broadcaster. In 2024, the BBC removed a comment from a radio program where Margolyes described Charles Dickens' character Fagin as "Jewish and vile." She stated, "I didn't know Jews like that then – sadly, I do now," referring to the character's anti-Semitic tropes in Victorian England.
During a 2022 interview with The Times, Margolyes recounted an encounter with the late Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly told her to "be quiet" during a meeting at Buckingham Palace years prior. Margolyes admitted she was waffling and overriding the Queen, acknowledging she could be rude but maintained she speaks her truth.
Margolyes has also drawn criticism for her dating advice, including telling a caller to "lose weight" and "wash very carefully," and suggesting people volunteer at centers for disadvantaged individuals, adding, "You might meet another cripple."
Additionally, she has expressed that adult fans of the Harry Potter series, in which she appeared as Professor Sprout, should have moved on from the books and films, calling them "for children."