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Miriam Margolyes controversy on This Morning

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2026-09-07 14:37 UTC → 2026-09-09 18:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Actress Miriam Margolyes faced significant criticism following an appearance on the ITV programme ‘This Morning’ to promote her new book. During an interview with presenter Andi Peters, Margolyes questioned his heritage and accent, suggesting he was ‘a mix’ and assuming he had a Black father and a white mother. Peters corrected her, stating both parents are Black. Margolyes also used the term ‘high-yalla’, which she described as an American term for individuals who are not ‘deeply Black’. The exchange caused visible discomfort, with producers reportedly expressing nervousness to Peters via his earpiece. Following the broadcast, Margolyes addressed the backlash, stating she did not intend to ‘embarrass or hurt’ Peters. She explained that her comments were driven by a fascination with how people perceive themselves and how others see them, noting, ‘I wanted to know what he thought about it because that’s what interests me.’ In the wake of the incident, ITV removed the clip from its streaming service. The controversy also reached the National Television Awards, where comedian Mo Gilligan drew mixed reactions from the audience after making a joke referencing the incident. During his presentation for the Factual Entertainment category, Gilligan stated, “If you know me, I’m Mo Gilligan. And if you don’t know me, then I’m Andi Peters…”, a remark that prompted gasps and nervous laughter at the O2 Arena.

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