Welsh acting powerhouse Eve Myles left BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty momentarily lost for words this morning after delivering a raw and impassioned speech on the importance of Welsh devolution and the dire state of the NHS.
The Keeping Faith and Torchwood star was on the sofa to discuss her illustrious career and her latest project, the new Channel 4 drama The Light in the Hall. However, the conversation took a sharp and unexpected turn into the realm of politics when Stayt broached the subject of her well-known Welsh pride.
An Unscripted and Passionate Defence
Rather than offering a rehearsed soundbite, Myles launched into a powerful, off-the-cuff monologue that laid bare her political convictions. She passionately defended the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, against critics who question its value and cost.
"We have our own government, we have our own parliament, we have our own first minister, and we have a voice," she stated emphatically. "And it's really important that we are heard and we are seen. And we are not an add-on. We are not an afterthought."
The NHS: A System on its Knees
Myles didn't stop there. She seamlessly connected the fight for Welsh identity to the ongoing crisis within the National Health Service, offering a stark assessment from the perspective of someone with family working on the front lines.
"Our NHS is on its knees," she revealed. "My sister is a sister on an intensive care unit. It's broken. It's an absolute mess. And we need to protect it."
Her heartfelt plea highlighted the human cost of political decisions, grounding the debate in the real-world experiences of healthcare workers and patients.
A Stunned Studio and Awkward Pivot
The frankness and intensity of her comments appeared to catch the seasoned hosts off guard. After a brief moment of stunned silence, Charlie Stayt could only manage a hesitant "Okay..." before swiftly attempting to pivot the conversation back to the safer ground of her acting career with a question about her time on Torchwood.
The moment has since ignited discussion on social media, with many viewers praising Myles for her courage and eloquence in speaking truth to power on a major national platform, while others were amused by the hosts' palpable discomfort.
Ultimately, the interview provided a rare glimpse into the mind of a artist deeply engaged with the political issues affecting her nation, proving that sometimes the most compelling television is completely unscripted.
