Miriam Margolyes has sparked controversy following an uncomfortable exchange with presenter Andi Peters during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning.

The veteran actress appeared on the daytime programme to promote her latest book, Miriam’s Full English: A Grand Tour of All Our Best Bits, when the conversation unexpectedly turned to Peters’ background and skin tone.

Margolyes, known for her outspoken personality and unpredictable television appearances, had been speaking with Peters and co-host Christine Lampard when she began discussing their accents.

After briefly imitating Lampard’s Northern Irish accent, Margolyes turned her attention to Peters and questioned what kind of accent was natural to him.

Peters responded that the way he was speaking was simply his normal voice.

The discussion then became increasingly awkward when Margolyes questioned his racial background and suggested that he had one Black parent and one white parent.

Peters immediately corrected her, explaining that both of his parents are Black.

Margolyes then used an old American expression to describe Peters’ lighter skin tone — a phrase that is widely regarded today as offensive when referring to light-skinned Black people.

Producers step in during live interview

As the conversation continued, Peters appeared surprised by the direction of the discussion and attempted to defuse the tension with humour.

At one point, he joked about whether his makeup artist might have used a lighter shade than usual.

Margolyes continued discussing differences in skin tone, prompting intervention from the show’s production team through Peters’ earpiece.

The presenter acknowledged the warning on air, joking that producers were becoming nervous about the conversation.

Margolyes responded by insisting that there was no reason to be concerned and said that she welcomed everyone.

She also linked the remark back to the subject of her new book, explaining that one of its themes was inclusion.

Despite that explanation, the exchange quickly attracted criticism from viewers after clips circulated online.

Some social media users described the conversation as uncomfortable, while others accused the actress of using outdated and racially insensitive language.

The controversial portion of the interview was subsequently removed from the version available on ITV’s streaming platform ITVX.

Viewers react to controversial remarks

The incident triggered a heated debate online, with many viewers questioning why Margolyes had focused so heavily on Peters’ racial identity.

Critics said the terminology she used was inappropriate and belonged to an earlier period when such expressions were more commonly used.

Others pointed to Margolyes’ reputation for making provocative or unexpected remarks during live television appearances.

The actress has frequently attracted attention for her candid interviews, colourful anecdotes and willingness to discuss subjects that other guests might avoid.

However, some viewers argued that this particular exchange crossed a line because it involved assumptions about another person’s race and family background.

Peters largely maintained a light-hearted approach during the conversation, responding with jokes even as producers apparently became concerned about where the discussion was heading.

Interview edited after broadcast

Following the backlash, the exchange about Peters’ skin colour was no longer included in the ITVX version of the interview.

Reports said the original live broadcast had contained the entire discussion, including Margolyes’ comments about Peters’ heritage and the outdated American expression.

The removal drew further attention to the incident, with viewers continuing to debate whether the remarks represented an innocent misunderstanding, generational use of outdated language or something more offensive.

Margolyes’ appearance had originally been intended to promote Miriam’s Full English, in which she explores Britain and meets people from different communities and backgrounds.

During the interview, she emphasised that the project was intended to celebrate a broad and inclusive picture of the country.

Yet the discussion surrounding the programme was quickly overshadowed by the exchange with Peters.

Neither Peters’ humorous responses nor Margolyes’ comments about inclusivity prevented the moment from becoming one of the most discussed parts of the broadcast.

The controversy is the latest example of how unscripted remarks on live television can rapidly develop into a wider public debate once clips spread across social media.