Miriam Margolyes has faced criticism after questioning This Morning presenter Andi Peters about his race and incorrectly assuming during a live television appearance that he had a Black father and a white mother.
The exchange took place on 3 September, when Margolyes appeared on ITV's This Morning alongside Peters and Christine Lampard to promote her new book, Miriam's Full English: A Grand Tour of All Our Best Bits.
What began as a conversation about accents quickly turned towards Peters' family background and skin tone, leading to an increasingly awkward exchange that was later omitted from the version of the interview available on ITVX, according to reports.
Miriam Margolyes Asks Andi Peters: 'What Are You?'
The conversation began with Margolyes discussing Christine Lampard's Northern Irish accent before turning her attention to Peters.
She asked him what accent would be 'normal' for him before following up with: 'What are you?'
When Peters responded, Margolyes went on to speculate about his family background, suggesting that he had a 'Black daddy and a white mummy'.
Peters corrected her, explaining that both of his parents are Black.
The presenter appeared to respond with humour, even joking about whether the programme's make-up department had made him look 'a lighter shade than normal'.
Rather than ending the discussion there, however, Margolyes continued talking about Peters' complexion.
Margolyes Uses Dated Term for Peters' Skin Tone
Margolyes described Peters using the phrase 'high yalla', explaining that she understood it as a term used in America for someone who was not 'deeply Black'.
The terminology attracted criticism because it is considered dated and offensive, particularly when used to categorise people according to the shade of their skin.
Peters appeared surprised by the discussion and responded that he did not know there were different 'shades'. Margolyes continued by insisting that there were.
The exchange has subsequently prompted discussion about the way race, ethnicity and skin colour are discussed in public, particularly when assumptions are made about someone's background.
Importantly, the criticism concerns the comments and assumptions made during the broadcast rather than establishing anything definitive about Margolyes' personal beliefs or intentions.
'The Producers Are Getting Nervous Now'
As the conversation became increasingly uncomfortable, Peters indicated that he was receiving communication through his earpiece.
Pointing towards his ear, he joked: 'The producers are getting nervous now.'
Margolyes responded: 'Don't be nervous, we welcome everybody,' before linking the discussion to the wider theme of inclusion in her book.
Peters then helped steer the conversation towards an end, maintaining a light tone as the interview returned to the subject of Margolyes' book.
The moment was subsequently absent from the version of the interview made available on ITVX, according to reports. The Independent reported that producers had become concerned during the exchange and that the section was removed from the catch-up version.
ITV was contacted for comment over the reported edit.
Andi Peters Responds to Jeremy Vine
Peters has not publicly described Margolyes as racist or accused her of racism in the response that followed.
After broadcaster Jeremy Vine shared a clip of the exchange on Instagram, he described the footage as 'seriously nerve-wracking' and praised Peters for the way he handled the situation.
Peters responded: 'Thanks JV. As you know we have to be ready for ANYTHING!!!'
His brief comment drew further attention to the unusual exchange, particularly because he had continued to respond with humour while the discussion became increasingly awkward.
@dailymuze Andi Peters is speaking out after an uncomfortable live television exchange on ITV’s *This Morning* 📺⚡👀 During a live segment promoting her book, actress Miriam Margolyes made inappropriate remarks concerning the presenter’s appearance and heritage, prompting producers to step in through his earpiece in real time. Peters handled the awkward moment like a consummate pro, noting on air that the studio gallery was getting nervous 🎙️✨ ITV has since removed the controversial exchange from catch-up streams, while fellow broadcaster Jeremy Vine called the interaction "seriously nerve-wracking." Peters responded online, saying: "We have to be ready for ANYTHING!" 💭 How do you think Andi handled the situation? Drop your thoughts below and follow for breaking television updates 👇✨ #AndiPeters #MiriamMargolyes #ThisMorning #ITV #celebritynews
♬ original sound - Daily Muze
Why the Comments Have Attracted Criticism
The incident has generated criticism from viewers and commentators, with particular focus on Margolyes' assumption about Peters' parents and her subsequent discussion of his complexion.
The Evening Standard reported that viewers had criticised the exchange online, while other coverage highlighted concerns about the use of terminology associated with differences in skin colour.
The controversy also touches on a wider issue around colourism and the language used to describe people within racial and ethnic communities. Terms that may have been used historically can carry very different connotations today, particularly when applied to someone without their consent.
At the same time, it is important to distinguish between criticism of comments made during an interview and a definitive allegation about an individual's character or intentions.
In this case, the documented exchange shows Margolyes making an incorrect assumption about Peters' parentage, discussing his skin tone and using a term that has since attracted criticism. Peters corrected the assumption and continued the conversation in a light-hearted manner.
The ITVX Edit Adds to the Attention
The reported removal of the exchange from ITVX has added another dimension to the story.
While the broadcast originally included the conversation, viewers watching the catch-up version reportedly could not see the same section. The reported edit means the exchange has largely circulated through clips shared online, rather than through the complete interview available on ITVX.
That has helped fuel further discussion about what was said and how the conversation was handled during the live programme.
For Peters, the incident ultimately became an unexpected part of a book promotion that was otherwise centred on Margolyes' latest publication.
The exchange has since developed into a wider conversation about race, language, skin colour and the boundaries of live television. Whatever Margolyes' intention may have been, her comments prompted criticism and placed Peters in the position of having to correct an assumption about his own family background while on air.
Peters' response, meanwhile, has been notably restrained. Rather than escalating the situation publicly, he appeared to treat the awkward exchange with humour, later telling Jeremy Vine that presenters have to be ready for 'ANYTHING'.
The incident illustrates how quickly an unscripted conversation about identity can become controversial on live television, particularly when personal assumptions about race and appearance enter the discussion.
