Miriam Margolyes has once again slammed Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic after previously claiming she wished he’d died of the virus.
The actress, 79, who has never minced her words when discussing the politician, admitted she fled the UK in May and doesn’t wish to return home until the case numbers have improved.
Miriam also took aim at US President Donald Trump after he was impeached for the second time for inciting the US Capitol protests, claiming he was a ‘dangerous fascist’ who she ‘hopes to see the back of.’
Outspoken Miriam Margolyes has once again slammed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic after previously claiming she wished he’d died of the virus
Speaking during an impassioned appearance on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, Miriam was asked whether she’d be getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Harry Potter said that while she was currently isolating at her home in Italy, she’d only return to the UK when it’s safe to get the jab.
She said: ‘Of course one must have a vaccine. Those anti-vaxxers are nuts. They need their heads seen to.
‘It’s ridiculous. I’m hoping I get a vaccine as soon as possible. I’m 79 so I’m not quite 80 yet – I’ll be 80 in May. I may be able to have it in Italy before I come [back to the UK].’
Brutal: The actress claimed Boris (pictured at a COVID-19 press conference) must be held to account for his handling of the pandemic, which has so far claimed over 84,000 lives in the UK
Miriam then insisted Boris must be held to account for his management of the pandemic, which has so far claimed over 84,000 lives in the UK.
She said: ‘But I’m not going to England until it’s safe to go. I mean you’ve got that clown in charge there that I didn’t vote for and I’m holding him responsible for a lot of this mess.’
Miriam also lambasted President Trump after being asked about the shocking Capitol building protests last week.
She said: ‘Like everybody else I’m astonished and disgusted. I know it’s morning television and I know I have to be careful about what I say about that man.
‘Let’s say that it ends with ”hole” and starts with ”a”
Outspoken: Miriam made an impassioned appearance on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, where she revealed she’d fled the UK over the summer to live in her second home in Italy
‘But he is a dangerous man. He is dangerous. I think he’s a fascist. And I think it’s obvious from the beginning that he was going to be like that.
I think it looks from the beginning there was planning – a conspiracy – to invade the capital. I just long to see the back of him.
‘And I’m worried about America. It’s a sweet country. There’s a lot of silly people in it and they need to be smacked.’
Explosive: The legendary actress said she’d only return to the UK to get her coronavirus vaccine when it’s safe to do so
Miriam explained she’d been living in her second home in Tuscany since August, and despite wanting to stay abroad, new Brexit regulations meant she’d have to fly back to England at the end of March.
She said: ‘It’s wonderful over here. The people are sensible and my house is beautiful as you see. It is occasionally available to rent by the way.’
Host Susanna Reid asked her: ‘No one can go anywhere at the moment. How did you escape?’
Miriam said: ‘Well I came out in August and I would stay here forever if I could.
‘But because of that Brexit thing, I have to leave at the end of March. Because you’re only allowed to stay for 90 days in a 180.
Brutal: She told Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid: ‘I mean you’ve got that clown in charge there that I didn’t vote for and I’m holding him responsible for a lot of this mess’
‘Which people didn’t realise when they voted for Brexit, that they were putting me out of my house. But anyway, I’m not the most important one, maybe. No, Trump is the most important one. That’s what he thinks anyway.’
Miriam had previously sparked outrage from viewers for claiming Boris should have died of COVID-19 when he contracted the virus in late March.
Her outburst came just days after the Prime Minister revealed that doctors were preparing to announce his death in case he lost his battle with the virus, as he admitted he was ‘a lucky man’.
In an incredible outburst on Channel 4’s The Last Leg in May, Margolyes told viewers: ‘I wanted him to die.’
Nasty: Miriam also took aim at US President Donald Trump after last week’s Capitol protests, claiming he was a ‘dangerous fascist’ who she ‘hopes to see the back of’
Asked how she thinks the government have dealt with the pandemic, the star said: ‘Appallingly, of course, appallingly. It’s a disgrace, it’s a scandal. It’s a public scandal.
‘I mean, I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die. I wanted him to die. Then I thought that will reflect badly on me and I don’t want to be the sort of person that wants people to die.’
After admitting to her change of heart, Miriam continued with another savage remark about the prime minister.
She said: ‘So then I wanted him to get better, which he did do, he did get better. But he didn’t get better as a human being. And I really would prefer that. So, we’re in the s**t, basically, here.’
Her comments sparked outrage on social media, with one branding her comments ‘disgusting and vile.’
Never minces her words! The star previously sparked outrage from viewers for claiming Boris should have died of COVID-19 when he contracted the virus in late March
Ofcom received 494 complaints over her comments, but a spokesperson confirmed in June that no investigation will take place following an initial assessment.
In August Miriam also branded Boris an ‘incompetent s**t’ during an interview with The Mirror, saying: ‘Boris Johnson couldn’t direct s**t into a paper bag. He is completely incompetent.
‘The U-turns, don’t wear a mask, put your mask on, take your mask off, and then rules that are made that the Tory people don’t adhere to and all the money that is coming in from these Russian oligarchs.’
Margolyes has enjoyed an illustrious acting career, and is known for her roles in Call the Midwife and The Age of Innocence, as well as being Professor Sprout in the film series based on JK Rowling’s novels.
Views: Asked how she thinks the government has dealt with the pandemic, the actress said: ‘Appallingly, of course, appallingly. It’s a disgrace, it’s a scandal. It’s a public scandal’