Radio host removes guest's comment after it was deemed inappropriate.

Miriam Margolyes, the beloved 83-year-old actor best known for her iconic roles in Harry Potter, James and the Giant Peach, and Blackadder, has recently come under fire for her comments during a live radio appearance on Radio 4.
The controversy began when Margolyes appeared on the Front Row program with presenter Kirsty Wark to discuss her one-woman show, Dickens' Woman, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. When asked about which of Charles Dickens' characters most captured her attention as a child, Margolyes immediately responded with "Oh, Fagin. Without a question," before going on to describe the Oliver Twist villain as "Jewish and vile."
This statement sparked outrage among listeners, many of whom took to social media to express their fury at Margolyes' comments. Some argued that as a Jewish woman herself, Margolyes had every right to share her opinions, while others found her words offensive and unacceptable.
But amidst the backlash, some pointed out that Margolyes' comments could be interpreted as a statement on Fagin's character rather than his ethnicity or religion. In a lengthy thread on the subject, one user wrote, "Not everything is antisemitic if it is about a Jewish person or character. Fagin was despicable. Miriam Margolyes is Jewish herself, so him being Jewish might be why he stood out to her."
Despite the debate, the BBC quickly took action and removed the interview segment from the program, stating that Margolyes' words were "unexpected" and "should have been challenged at the time." They also acknowledged that the sentiments expressed "should have been challenged at the time."
While representatives for Margolyes have yet to comment on the controversy, it's clear that the beloved actor, who has never shied away from controversy, will continue to speak her mind. And with her upcoming one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we can expect to see more of her unapologetic and unfiltered self.

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