Demands have emerged for Miriam Margolyes to be stripped of her national treasure status following remarks made during a recent appearance on a daytime television programme.
The 85-year-old performer, known for her work in the Harry Potter film series, found herself facing criticism after questioning presenter Andi Peters about his racial background during last week’s edition of the ITV morning show.
The Oxford-born actress inquired about the ethnicity of Peters’ parents and then directed a historical American racial slur towards the 56-year-old presenter, referencing individuals of black heritage with lighter complexions.
The incident occurred as Margolyes had been mimicking the Northern Irish speech pattern of her co-presenter Christine Lampard.
Peters clarified his racial background in response, stating that both his parents are black.
During the exchange, Peters gestured towards his ear, where a live communication link to production staff remained active, and indicated that those monitoring the programme were becoming uneasy.
Margolyes responded by asserting that her publication celebrated diversity, urging the audience not to be concerned and stating that all individuals were welcome.
In subsequent comments, she suggested that certain individuals might warrant exclusion, though she declined to identify specific people, noting that readers would need to consult her book for clarification.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan has since called for Margolyes to lose her national treasure designation, describing her comments as repulsive and stating that the time had come for her to be stripped of the honour.
In her defence, Margolyes claimed she had no intention of causing offence to Peters, whom she described as appearing pleasant.
She explained that she had not previously encountered him and was unaware of his identity or racial background prior to the meeting, though she acknowledged that visual recognition of his ethnicity was inevitable.
She stated that her curiosity concerned his perspective on the matter.