Guernsey Press

Actress Miriam Margolyes prompts on-air apology after swearing in interview

Show host Robert Peston was forced to apologise after the Harry Potter star used a “bad word”.

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Television presenter Robert Peston told viewers he felt destined for the sack after veteran actress Miriam Margolyes used an expletive during a live Sunday morning interview.

The journalist, host of ITV’s Peston On Sunday, was left aghast as the 76-year-old said the F-word while regaling an anecdote involving American film star Warren Beatty.

The actress, adored by children through her roles in the likes of family-friendly films Babe, Mulan and Harry Potter, had initially prefaced the story by asking if she could use a “bad word”, something acceded to by the presenter.

But the sex-based outburst left studio guests – Tory MP Sarah Wollaston and Lord Adonis – with the giggles, while Mr Peston was forced to apologise.

“Striking,” he said, “and you’ve just got me sacked, which was a public service.

“I’ve got to apologise, it’s my fault that that word was said.”

Margolyes appeared to put her hand over her mouth in surprise following the apology.

The exchange – edited out of the subsequent re-run of the show on the ITV+1 channel – amused many on social media.

Earlier, the celebrated actress described how she agreed with the principles of the #MeToo movement – which aims to shine a spotlight on sexual abuse of women – but said it had the potential to lose sight of its aims.

“I think people talking about hand-on-the-knee 15 years ago is not serious enough.

“Rape and pushing into a woman – it’s obvious what’s assault and what isn’t.”

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