Miriam Margolyes' sweary rant about health sec that forced BBC to apologise

24 September 2023 , 18:00

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Miriam Margolyes' sweary rant about health sec that forced BBC to apologise

Actor Miriam Margolyes has an unapologetically foul mouth and lovable eccentricity that sends fellow TV stars and viewers into fits of giggle. Just this week, she was up to her usual tricks on ITV's This Morning when host Holly Willoughby was left red-faced as she had to repeatedly apologise for Miriam's swearing during a phone-in.

The Harry Potter star initially mouthed an expletive and later dropped the s-bomb when giving guidance to a fan - and Holly was clearly amused, while co-host Josie Gibson was left in hysterics. It isn't the first time Miriam, 82, has sworn on a live programme, and it's safe to say presenters never know what they are doing when they welcome her on.

Miriam panicked This Morning hosts when she swore during a phone-in just this week (ITV)

Last October, Bafta-winning Miriam added to her bank of famous moments when she swore live on Radio 4 while telling listeners she had just bumped into the former health secretary in the BBC corridors. Speaking about Jeremy Hunt, Miriam said: "When I saw him there I just said you've get a hell of a job, the best of luck. What I really wanted to say, was f*** you, you b******. But you can't say that"

The presenters apologised afterwards and quickly introduced the sports news. However, it seems that those listening to the show found the situation amusing. TV presenter Anneka Rice said: "A joy to start the day to Miriam Margolyes saying 'F*** you' on Radio 4. I love her reliability!" Fern Britton added: "God bless #MiriamMargolyes on @BBCr4today. Her poetic and fulsome thoughts on #RobbieColtrane and slightly pithier ones on #JeremyHunt. Gods bless freedom of speech."

Another time Miriam controversially made headlines was when she admitted she wanted former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to 'die' from coronavirus. Appearing on Channel 4 show The Last Leg, she talked about how she thought the Government had handled the pandemic. "Appallingly, of course, appallingly. It's a disgrace, it's a scandal. It's a public scandal," she said.

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Miriam added: "I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die. I wanted him to die. Then I thought that will reflect badly on me and I don't want to be the sort of person that wants people to die. So then I wanted him to get better, which he did do, he did get better. But he didn't get better as a human being. And I really would prefer that."

Miriam Margolyes: Australia Unmasked airs tonight at 9.30pm on BBC2

Nia Dalton