Miriam Margolyes has triggered another wave of controversy after describing the £60,000 she earned for her role in the Harry Potter film franchise as “f***ing rubbish”.
The 85-year-old actress made the remark during a live panel event earlier this week, where she reflected on her career and her enduring association with Professor Pomona Sprout.
Her comments came only days after she faced criticism over a controversial exchange with ITV presenter Andi Peters on This Morning.
Actress Says Harry Potter Has Overshadowed Her Career
Margolyes, who portrayed Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two, admitted that she is frustrated by how strongly audiences associate her with the character.
“I’m not thrilled that everybody thinks of me as Professor Sprout,” she said, arguing that she has worked on projects she considers more significant.
When asked about her earnings from the hugely successful franchise, Margolyes revealed that she received £60,000.
“Want to know how much I got? Yeah, thought you would! £60K – it’s f***ing rubbish!” she said.
She subsequently clarified that she did not begrudge other actors who received larger sums.
“I don’t mind that everybody else got more, I don’t mind … it’s just the way the business works. It’s like that,” she reportedly said.
Margolyes Defends Her Intentions After Andi Peters Controversy
The latest comments have arrived amid criticism surrounding Margolyes’ appearance on ITV’s This Morning last week.
During the programme, the actress was discussing her new memoir, Full English, when she began questioning Peters about his background and appearance.
She initially commented on his accent before asking about his parents.
Peters explained that both of his parents are Black, prompting Margolyes to describe him using the term “high yalla”, an outdated expression historically used in the United States to refer to Black people with lighter complexions.
The exchange quickly became uncomfortable, with Peters appearing to acknowledge that producers were becoming concerned about the direction of the conversation.
“Oh, okay. They’re getting nervous now. They’re getting nervous now,” Peters said on air.
Margolyes responded by assuring him: “Don’t be nervous. We welcome everybody. That’s what I want to write about in my book. It’s about inclusion.”
The segment was subsequently removed from the ITVX recording, while the clip circulated widely on social media.
Actress Explains What She Was Trying To Discuss
Speaking at an audience event at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend on Sunday, Margolyes addressed the controversy and insisted that she had not intended to embarrass or hurt Peters.
“I didn’t want to embarrass or hurt Andi because he seems very nice,” she said.
Margolyes explained that she had never met Peters before the programme and said she was interested in understanding how people experience questions about identity and the way others perceive them.
She went on to compare different experiences of identity, although one of the terms she used to describe disabled people also drew criticism.
The actress maintained that her interest was rooted in understanding other people’s experiences rather than deliberately insulting Peters.
Social Media Reaction Divides Viewers
Margolyes’ explanation has failed to settle the debate, with viewers expressing sharply different opinions online.
Some critics described the original exchange as racist and argued that the terminology she used was deeply offensive and outdated.
Others accused the actress of being uninformed rather than deliberately racist, while some questioned why the conversation had attracted such intense criticism.
The controversy has also prompted debate over whether Margolyes’ comments should be viewed primarily as offensive language, ignorance about historical terminology or something more deliberate.
Jeremy Vine Praises Andi Peters’ Response
Peters has received support from fellow broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who shared footage of the exchange and described watching it as “seriously nerve-wracking”.
Vine praised Peters for remaining composed during the uncomfortable conversation, while also highlighting the moment when Peters referred to producers becoming nervous.
“@andipeters dealt with it brilliantly,” Vine wrote.
Peters responded to his friend’s message by thanking him and acknowledging the unpredictable nature of live television.
“Thanks JV. As you know we have to be ready for ANYTHING!!!” Peters replied.
Margolyes Continues To Promote Her Memoir
The controversy has unfolded as Margolyes promotes Full English, the memoir behind her recent media appearances.
Known for her outspoken personality and willingness to discuss sensitive subjects without much restraint, the actress has continued to defend her approach to conversations about people, identity and personal experiences.
Her latest comments about her Harry Potter earnings have now added another contentious talking point to an already turbulent period of publicity.
