Miriam Margolyes is renowned for fearlessly expressing her opinions, making her a beloved figure in the eyes of many. In a recent interview with The Times, the esteemed Bafta winner proved once again why she remains unapologetically true to herself. Margolyes revealed her firm stance on never appearing on shows hosted by John Cleese or Piers Morgan on GB News and TalkTV, respectively.
Miriam Margolyes’s Clear Stand
When asked about potential appearances on their shows, Margolyes firmly stated,
“There are two people I’d never appear with: one is John Cleese and the other is Piers Morgan.” She further expressed her view on the matter, asserting, “I think he’s a bad man and I think John’s a bad man.”
It is clear that Margolyes holds strong opinions about these individuals and is resolute in her decision.
In her autobiography, “This Much Is True,” published in September 2021, Margolyes shed further light on her history with John Cleese. She recounted her experiences of being treated in what she described as a “vicious” manner by Cleese during their time as amateur actors at Cambridge University.
Margolyes revealed,
“The three years I spent at Cambridge gave me everything I have. That was a time when I was fully alive, when I fully became myself. But I lost my smile a little when I performed in the Footlights revue of 1962.”
She went on to share her perspective on her interactions with the “Footlights boys” including Cleese, Graham Chapman, Bill Oddie, Humphrey Barclay, Tony Hendra, and Tim Brooke-Taylor.
Margolyes candidly expressed her experiences, stating,
“The only girl in the show, I was a pert little madam and thought I was as good as they were—and they didn’t. My perception was that they thought I was a jumped-up, pushy, overconfident, fat little Jew. But I was funny, and they didn’t like it.”
She also highlighted the lack of representation of funny women in Monty Python shows, a fact that did not escape her notice.
Reflecting on her treatment, Margolyes asserted,
“The treatment I received from those Footlights boys was diminishing, pointed and vicious. On reflection, it is they who diminished themselves.”
While acknowledging the brilliance of Monty Python and The Goodies, she did not shy away from calling out Cleese, Oddie, and Chapman for their behavior, noting that they have never apologized for their actions. The late Tim Brooke-Taylor was the only one who extended an apology.
In response to Margolyes’ claims, John Cleese took to Twitter to defend his friend Bill Oddie, stating,
“Miriam Margolyes says that Graham Chapman, Bill Oddie, and I behaved badly towards her when she was in the 1962 Footlights Revue. I must defend my old friend Bill Oddie here. He wasn’t in the 1962 Footlights revue.”
Cleese’s clarification aimed to address any misconceptions and ensure accuracy in the narrative.
Miriam Margolyes remains a national treasure known for her outspoken nature and unwavering authenticity. Her candid revelations about her past experiences and her refusal to compromise her principles have only endeared her further to her loyal fanbase. As she continues to make her mark in the entertainment industry, Margolyes serves as a symbol of resilience and strength, unafraid to challenge the status quo and stand up for what she believes in.
Thanks Huffpost
