BBC forced to remove Miriam Margolyes’ three-word comment from radio show

The broadcaster described the incident as 'unexpected'.

The 83-year-old actress was speaking on Radio 4’s Front Row to presenter Kirsty Wark about her one-woman Edinburgh Fringe show Dickens’ Woman.

During the conversation, Wark asked Margolyes which of the characters from Dickens' world captured her attention the most when she was a child.

The Oxford-born performer replied: "Oh, Fagin. Without a question," before going on to describe him as 'Jewish and vile'.

Following a chuckle from the audience, Margolyes - who is Jewish herself - added: "I didn’t know Jews like that then – sadly, I do now."

While the crowd in attendance at the live broadcast didn't seem offended by the comments, many took to social media to express their displeasure with the Romeo + Juliet star's opinions.

One X user wrote: "Imagine turning on Radio 4 and hearing Miriam Margolyes describe a character as "Jewish and vile" - and the phrase gets a laugh from the audience, rather than an apology from the host.

"Goes to show being Jewish doesn't make you immune from perpetuating antisemitism."

Imagine turning on Radio 4 and hearing Miriam Margolyes describe a character as "Jewish and vile" - and the phrase gets a laugh from the audience, rather than an apology from the host.

Goes to show being Jewish doesn't make you immune from perpetuating antisemitism pic.twitter.com/LCxA9PBaAN

— Etan Smallman (@EtanSmallman) August 13, 2024

Another commented: "What is happening to us? This is apparently Miriam Margolyes, a Jewish woman, discussing how we're vile like Fagin on a BBC show.

"I can't quite process how far and fast we're sinking into culturally acceptable antisemitism OF THE OLD KIND, not even the trendy new pro-Hamas kind."

Others had the opinion that people were overreacting to a comment that was made during a light-hearted chat concerning a fictional character.

"Miriam Margolyes said she had never seen a "Jewish and vile" character before encountering Fagin in the book Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens," one other user wrote.

"They're now targeting and attacking Margoyles, who is Jewish, for this singular comment, trying to make a mountain out of a molehill."

The following comment received a lot of likes for its apparent clarity on the situation.

"Miriam Margolyes is a national treasure," wrote @Gonzonator1982. "She is old and can (and bloody well does) say whatever she likes about Jews, being one and all that. That’s why it’s so funny. Get a sense of humour."

A BBC Spokesperson told JOE: “This was an unexpected comment made during a live broadcast which should have been challenged at the time. We have taken swift action to remove it from the programme and it is no longer available.”

Last month, the much-loved actress revealed that she doesn’t think she will be alive for much longer.

The Call The Midwife and Blackadder star underwent major heart surgery last October, after years of living with spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis happens most often in the lower back and the neck.

Some people with spinal stenosis have no symptoms. Others may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Symptoms can get worse over time.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Margolyes admitted that she feels as though her life is nearing its end.

“When you know that you haven’t got long to live – and I’m probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I’m loath to leave behind performing. It’s such a joy,” she said.

She described the physical restraints of her condition as “limiting and depressing”, and added: “I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough.”