Miriam Margolyes sparked a mix of shock and amusement on This Morning today (Thursday, September 3) with her unusual antics.
During the show, hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley welcomed the actress onto the iconic sofa, where things quickly took a quirky turn. Miriam was seen munching on a raw onion while chatting about her recent trips to the Edinburgh Fringe and Blackpool.
In true Margolyes fashion, she then revealed, “I did a poo test this morning,” urging viewers to get tested themselves, calling it “very important” and life-saving. She added, with her trademark humor, that the process had taken longer than expected and that she had placed her sample in a “perfume bag to soften the blow.”
Miriam Margolyes didn’t hold back during her chat on This Morning, sharing a series of cheeky and outrageous anecdotes.
Talking about her new book, she admitted she had considered a much ruder title. “I don’t mean to be crude. I think of myself as quite sophisticated. But out pop these things, you know, what can I do?” she said.
She then recounted a bizarre moment on the set of the 1999 film End of Days, when Arnold Schwarzenegger allegedly passed wind in her face. “It was vile!” she fumed. “I didn’t like it. If you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go, but don’t aim it at someone.”
Miriam also revealed that she has occasionally passed wind herself—“quietly”—even at Buckingham Palace. She praised the royal family and shared a humorous story about nearly pulling the Queen over after losing her balance during a handshake.
On a more domestic note, she discussed her lodgers, explaining that they help her get in and out of her bra each morning and evening.
Viewers had mixed reactions to Miriam Margolyes’ appearance on This Morning, with some expressing disgust at her blunt and crude behaviour.
Several criticised her for eating a raw onion on air and discussing bodily functions. One fumed, “I can’t stand this woman. She’s just vile.” Another added, “Stop chomping on that onion with your mouth open and talking at the same time, you ill-mannered old bat.” A third viewer complained, “I didn’t put the TV on to see Miriam Margolyes talking with her mouth full about poo tests,” while another tweeted, “‘I don’t mean to be crude…’ yes you do.”
Yet, many fans defended her, praising her humour and authenticity. “Miriam Margolyes is so funny, love seeing her on,” said one viewer. Another wrote, “Many people disagree, but I bloody love Miriam Margolyes, I could listen to her stories for days!” A third added, “Miriam is great. So far from the usual fakes who pretend to be perfect.”