Miriam Margolyes, an actress beloved for her candidness and strong opinions, has consistently made headlines with her outspoken personality. From royal encounters to public controversies, Miriam’s career has been as much about her bold remarks as her acting roles. Here’s a look back at the moments that nearly got the beloved actress cancelled.
Shocking Comments About Boris Johnson
During an appearance on The Last Leg in 2020, Miriam sparked outrage with her comments about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She admitted, “I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die.” This led to over 500 complaints but also reignited her reputation for speaking her mind, no matter how controversial.
Disastrous Remarks About The Jewish People
In an interview, Miriam made headlines again by claiming that the “essential decency and compassion” of Jewish people had been “squeezed out.” These comments, especially after the 2024 Hamas attacks, drew sharp criticism, causing the actress to lose friends and face backlash. “I know I’m right,” she said about her stance, despite the hurt it caused.
A Rude Encounter with Queen Elizabeth
Miriam recalled a moment when the Queen told her to “be quiet” during a meeting, shocked by her own rudeness. The actress acknowledged her behavior, admitting, “Sometimes it comes out in a way that people find very upsetting and offensive.” Her unapologetic nature continues to stir the pot!
Outrageous Dating Advice on This Morning
In a now-infamous This Morning appearance, Miriam gave advice that caused a stir. She told one caller to “lose weight” and suggested others could meet people by volunteering for “disadvantaged, poor people and cripples.” The backlash was swift, calling her comments insensitive and harmful.
Criticism of Adult Harry Potter Fans
As the actress who played Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, Miriam took a controversial stance on adult fans of the franchise. She said, “They should be over that by now. It was 25 years ago, and it’s for children.” Fans were not pleased with this dismissal, sparking an online uproar.
Calling Dickens’ Fagin “Jewish and Vile”
In another shocking moment, Miriam sparked outrage by calling Charles Dickens’ Fagin “Jewish and vile” during a BBC interview. This comment was later removed, with the BBC acknowledging it should have been challenged at the time.
