Miriam Margolyes' Comment Removed by BBC

Miriam Margolyes, the 83-year-old actress known for her role in Harry Potter, faced backlash after her live comments on BBC Radio 4's Front Row about Charles Dickens' character Fagin, whom she described as 'Jewish and vile'. This remark, made during her Edinburgh Fringe performance discussing her one-woman show, provoked outrage among listeners and was subsequently removed by the BBC, which stated it should have been challenged during the broadcast. Margolyes, who is Jewish, defended her statements, with some fans arguing that her comments were a critique of the character rather than a reflection on Jewish people as a whole. However, the Campaign Against Antisemitism condemned her remarks, stating that being Jewish does not excuse offensive comments. In a related context, Margolyes recently voiced support for a teenager facing bullying for her pro-LGBTQ+ initiatives, highlighting her advocacy against homophobia. The BBC confirmed the removal of the comments, emphasizing the need for immediate challenge in live broadcasts.