Actress Miriam Margolyes caused a stir on BBC Radio 4's Today programme after swearing live on air while discussing her encounter with new chancellor Jeremy Hunt. The 81-year-old, known for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, was paying tribute to her late co-star Robbie Coltrane when she recounted meeting Hunt backstage.
Margolyes said she had wished Hunt luck but admitted she wanted to tell him to 'go away' using explicit language. Presenters Justin Webb and Martha Kearney quickly apologised, with Webb exclaiming, 'Oh, no, no, no, you mustn't say that. No, you can't say that!'
The actress later told producers she mistakenly believed she was off air. The incident occurred after Hunt had completed his first round of media interviews as chancellor, where he warned of difficult decisions on tax and spending.
Webb later apologised to listeners, comparing the slip to apologies made during rugby broadcasts. 'Well, we apologise to you if you heard a word that you shouldn't have heard, earlier on. The rest of Miriam Margolyes' interview was wonderful though,' he said.
The moment quickly went viral, with 'Miriam Margolyes' trending on Twitter. Former BBC journalist Jon Sopel reacted with laughing and embarrassed emojis, while Webb responded with a light-hearted tweet.
