Miriam Margolyes is addressing the uproar surrounding her comments about Andi Peters on This Morning. However, her explanation has sparked another round of criticism rather than putting the racism row to rest.
What Miriam Margolyes said in her new defence of Andi Peters
Margolyes discussed the controversy during a Sept. 6 event promoting her new book, Miriam’s Full English, in Southend. According to the new remarks, the actor said she never intended to embarrass or hurt Andi Peters. “I didn’t want to embarrass or hurt Andi because he seems very nice,”
Margolyes explained that she had never met Andi Peters before their This Morning interview. She added that she did not know he was Black until she saw him. “I wanted to know what he thought about it,” she continued.
Margolyes then discussed how Black people, Brown people, larger people, and disabled people view themselves. However, she used an outdated, offensive term while referring to disabled people.
“I am fascinated by other people,” Margolyes added. She said ordinary people and the stories behind their identities interest her more than celebrities.
Her explanation quickly drew fresh criticism on TikTok.
One viewer said Margolyes had “just dug herself a deeper hole.” Another questioned her explanation, asking, “Why is that even a thought?”
A third commenter asked why Peters should have to explain his Black identity during an entertainment interview. Meanwhile, another simply wrote, “Lady, just apologise.”
Piers Morgan also attacked Margolyes after hearing her defense. “Good grief,” he wrote, before calling her a “repulsive ‘national treasure’” and arguing that officials should remove her OBE.
The original controversy began during Margolyes’ Sept. 3 This Morning appearance. She asked Peters, “What are you?” He replied, “I’m me.”
Margolyes then incorrectly assumed he had a Black father and a white mother. After Peters corrected her, she used an outdated racist remark to describe his skin tone.
The exchange sparked immediate backlash, while ITV later removed that portion from the ITVX replay.
Peters has kept his own reaction brief. Responding to Jeremy Vine’s praise for how he handled the moment, Peters said presenters have to be “ready for ANYTHING.”
Margolyes has now explained what she intended. Still, the latest comments show that her defense has done little to settle the controversy.
Originally reported by Misab Pandith for Reality Tea
