Miriam Margolyes has found herself at the centre of a racism controversy after questioning television presenter Andi Peters about his racial heritage during a live broadcast of This Morning. The exchange, which aired on Thursday, proved so problematic that ITV producers reportedly grew “nervous” and removed the contentious moments from the version available on catch-up service ITVX.
The 85-year-old actor, celebrated for her roles in the Harry Potter franchise and The Age of Innocence, had been filling in for regular hosts when the incident occurred. The conversation took an unexpected turn after Margolyes attempted to impersonate co-host Christine Lampard’s Northern Irish accent.
The On-Air Exchange
“What accent would be normal for you? What are you?” Margolyes asked Peters directly, prompting an uncomfortable silence before the presenter attempted to deflect.
“What am I? I’m me,” Peters replied, clearly hoping to move the conversation elsewhere.
But Margolyes pressed on. “Well, you’re a mix, aren’t you? So you’ve got a Black daddy and a white mummy.”
Peters, maintaining his composure, informed the veteran actress that both of his parents are Black. This did not deter Margolyes, who then used an outdated phrase when the presenter mentioned he “didn’t know there were shades”.
“There are shades,” she responded, a remark that has drawn sharp criticism for its reductive characterisation of racial identity.
Production Team’s Intervention
Throughout the exchange, producers communicated their growing unease directly to Peters through his earpiece. The presenter eventually shared this with viewers, stating: “They’re getting nervous now.”
Margolyes’ dismissive response – “Don’t be nervous” – only heightened the awkwardness, particularly when she added: “We welcome everybody, and that’s what I want to write about in my book.”
Following the broadcast, the clip circulated widely on social media platforms, sparking widespread condemnation of the actress’s line of questioning.
Public and Industry Response
Broadcaster Jeremy Vine was among those who shared the footage on Instagram, writing: “This is seriously nerve-wracking. No filter. Andi Peters dealt with it brilliantly, but note at the end – ‘They’re getting nervous’ [the producers].”
Peters acknowledged the post with characteristic humour: “Thanks JV. As you know we have to be ready for ANYTHING!!!”
The incident joins a growing catalogue of unfiltered moments from Margolyes, who expressed regret in 2023 after asking late Friends star Matthew Perry whether “he was an alcoholic” during a 2020 appearance on The Graham Norton Show. Reflecting on the exchange in her memoir, she admitted she “really wished” she hadn’t posed such a direct question, acknowledging it was “one of the few times” she “didn’t quite ‘mesh’ with another guest”.
Why it Matters
This episode exposes a troubling pattern of celebrity guests treating daytime television as an unfiltered space where invasive questions about personal identity are deemed acceptable. While Margolyes may view such directness as refreshing candour, the exchange reduced Peters to his racial characteristics in a manner that would be unacceptable in most professional settings. Peters’ dignified handling of the situation – maintaining professionalism throughout while producers scrambled to manage the fallout – highlights the invisible labour often expected of Black presenters when navigating racially charged comments from colleagues or guests. The decision to edit the segment from catch-up services raises further questions about ITV’s editorial standards and whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect both presenters and guests from on-air discomfort that crosses well-established lines.
