Actress and broadcaster Miriam Margolyes caused a stir live on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday (October 15) morning after she caught presenters off guard by swearing about new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

After having a conversation about Mr Hunt and his addition to the cabinet, which happened yesterday after Liz Truss sacked current Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, the notoriously ‘livewire’ character sparked panic in the BBC studio by dropping the f-word.

Appearing on the Today programme on Radio 4, things got off to a good start after the presenter asked her about Jeremy Hunt and how she thinks he will do.

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The 81-year-old actress, who is known to be outspoken during interviews, said she had wished Mr Hunt the best of luck, but added that she had wanted to use much stronger words towards him.

Margolyes had been on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme paying tribute to the late actor Robbie Coltrane, who died on Friday.

At the end of the interview she told the presenters Martha Kearney and Justin Webb that she had greeted Mr Hunt, who had been interviewed on Saturday morning’s programme before her.

She said: “When I saw him there I just said ‘you’ve got a hell of a job, the best of luck’.

“What I really wanted to say (was) ‘f*** you’, but you can’t say that.”

The sudden realisation from the radio presenters after the actress had said it was one of panic, with listeners hearing a presenter saying “woah, no, you mustn’t say that.”

Miriam can then be heard agreeing by adding: “you can’t say that, you can’t,” before the presenters rush to get her off air by saying “we’ll have to have you out of the studio now”.

The Northern Echo: Miriam Margolyes. Picture: NORTHERN ECHOMiriam Margolyes. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Now that the live broadcast has been streamed across the nation, the actions of the actress has divided opinion online – with some branding her “crass” and “unprofessional,” but many found the funny side by adding: “Miriam is a legend – she just says what she wants”.

The film and TV personality, who is famed for her controversy, doesn’t shy away from the limelight. Through the years, she has used her platform on TV shows and radio slots to attack high-profile politicians and always doesn’t mince her words.

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