ITV bosses have removed footage of Miriam Margolyes' offensive comments about Andi Peters' skin colour from the edition of This Morning available on its ITVX service. The 85-year-old actress faced a wave of fury after using a highly offensive term during what viewers described as an 'uncomfortable' appearance on the ITV show.
Interview sparks backlash
In the interview, which aired on Thursday's episode to promote her book, Margolyes began by analysing Christine Lampard's Northern Irish accent before turning her attention to co-host Andi Peters. She asked the 56-year-old: “What accent would be normal for you? What are you?”
Peters responded: ”This is normal. What am I? I’m me!” Margolyes then said: “You’re a mix, aren’t you? You’ve got a Black daddy and a white mummy.” Peters explained that both of his parents are Black, jokingly questioning whether his make-up artist had used a "lighter shade than normal".
Offensive term used on air
Margolyes continued: “I think you’re high yella. That’s what they call it in America when someone isn’t deeply black.” Peters quipped that he "didn’t even know there were shades" before pointing to his earpiece and revealing that bosses were intervening and "getting nervous".
“There are shades and this is what we have to incorporate,” the Harry Potter actress added. “Don’t be nervous, we welcome everybody. That’s what I want to write about in my book, it’s about inclusion.” The Merriam-Webster US dictionary defines the term - sometimes spelt high yaller - as a dated and often offensive piece of slang used to describe a black person with a light complexion.
Footage removed from ITVX
ITV bosses have yet to issue a statement over the segment, but the offensive footage has been removed from the episode on ITVX. The rest of her interview still remains. Viewers took to social media to criticise the segment, with one saying the term was "super racist" and many calling for further action.
One person wrote: “That Miriam Margoyles clip is just about the cringiest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s like a scene out of The Office.” Another agreed: "I do not accept that it’s just her age or character. She uses words and phrases that are totally unacceptable. I hope #thismorning never brings her back on the show."
One posted: “That Miriam Margolyes interview is the most uncomfortable thing to sit through what the hell was she thinking.” Another said: "Just watched @thismorning interview from this morning Miriam Margolyes is disgrace what she said about Andi Peters is way out of line she should be banned from @ITV @SkyNews @BBCTheOneShow she was way out of order." They added: "@andipeters i am standing with you." The Mirror has approached ITV, This Morning, Andi and Miriam for a comment.
