Miriam Margolyes' controversial Boris Johnson comment will not be investigated, Ofcom confirms

The actress said she had wanted the prime minister "to die" from coronavirus during an appearance on The Last Leg
Rachel McGrath8 June 2020

Ofcom has decided not to launch a formal investigation after Miriam Margolyes sparked more than 490 complaints by saying she wanted Boris Johnson “to die” from coronavirus.

During an appearance on Channel 4's The Last Leg in May, the comic said that the Government’s handling of the pandemic has been a “disgrace” and a “public scandal.”

She then added that she “had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die.”

Margolyes, 79, continued: “I wanted him to die and then I thought that reflects badly on me and I don’t want to be the sort of person who wants people to die.

Straight talking: Miriam Margolyes, seen here in 2018 (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Dave Benett/Getty Images

“So then I wanted him to get better, which he did do.

“But he didn’t get better as a human being and I really would prefer that.”

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Explaining why the on-air incident will not be investigated, a spokeswoman for Ofcom said: “These provocative comments had clear potential to offend viewers.

“But we also considered the audience’s likely expectations of Miriam Margolyes, a comic actor known for her forthright views, and of this live, late-night satirical comedy show.

“We also took into account that Ms Margoyles immediately qualified her comments, and viewers were warned in advance about the programme’s adult humour."

Margolyes' controversial comment came shortly after Johnson has returned to No.10 after being hospitalised with coronavirus.

The prime minister has since made a full recovery and returned to overseeing the government's response to the pandemic.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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