Miriam Margolyes Doesn’t Hold Back, Puts Lily Allen on Blast at Hay Festival

The charming village of Hay-on-Wye, nestled in the heart of Wales, is known for its literary festival, attracting bibliophiles and big names alike. But this year, the buzz wasn’t just about the books. Actress Miriam Margolyes, a woman who could talk her way out of a paper bag and into the best parties, decided to spice things up a bit. Turns out, what happens at Hay Festival, doesn’t always stay in Hay.

“Who is this woman? Miriam who?”

During a chat with author Philippe Sands, the conversation took a turn from high literature to high drama. Margolyes, never one to shy away from an opinion, decided to spill the tea about a certain British pop star turned actress, Lily Allen. Apparently, sharing the iconic red sofa on Graham Norton’s show back in two thousand and fourteen wasn’t all witty banter and playful ribbing.

Margolyes, with her trademark mix of theatrical flair and brutal honesty, recalled Allen’s less than gracious demeanor. Mimicking what she perceived as Allen’s attitude at the time, Margolyes declared, “She thought when she was on the programme that it was all about her. ‘Who is this woman? Miriam who?’”

A Career Built on Candor (and a Little Bit of Chaos)

Now, let’s be honest, we’re not entirely surprised, are we? Margolyes has built a career on being refreshingly candid, whether it’s sharing hilarious anecdotes about royalty or offering unsolicited opinions about, well, pretty much everything. The woman’s got more stories than a library, and she’s not afraid to use them.

Her recent resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to her hilarious social media presence and willingness to embrace the unexpected, proves that authenticity is a hot commodity these days. We’re living for the unfiltered realness, and Margolyes is serving it up on a silver platter.

Age is Just a Number, Especially When You’re This Shady

But back to Allen. Margolyes, ever the picture of decorum (wink, wink), suggested that perhaps Allen’s behavior stemmed from a lack of experience and, dare we say, a certain je ne sais quoi that comes with age. “She wasn’t friendly and I didn’t like that,” Margolyes admitted, adding with a twinkle in her eye, “I should have just taught her how to behave.”

And you know what? Maybe that’s exactly what Allen needed that day – a good old-fashioned lesson in humility, delivered with a side of Margolyes’ signature wit. Because let’s face it, who among us wouldn’t jump at the chance to be schooled in the art of grace by Professor Sprout herself?

John Cleese, Bill Oddie, and the Fine Art of Holding Grudges

But wait, there’s more! This wouldn’t be a proper Margolyes tell-all without a few more names thrown into the mix. The actress, with the precision of a seasoned archer, aimed her sights at a couple of other British icons:

• John Cleese: Monty Python legend? Comedy genius? Sure, but according to Margolyes, the man’s “become an a***hole.”
• Bill Oddie: Remember that quirky birdwatcher from “Springwatch?” Yeah, well, “not a nice man,” according to Margolyes.

Now, before you go thinking Margolyes is just out here burning bridges left and right, it’s worth noting that her brand of honesty, while often delivered with a side of sass, isn’t always meant to wound. Remember that time she left Matthew Perry speechless on “The Graham Norton Show” with a particularly personal anecdote?

While some might have interpreted it as an attempt to embarrass the “Friends” star, Margolyes later explained that she simply found Perry’s conversational style rather surface level and was aiming for something a little deeper, albeit more awkward.

Miriam Margolyes: Keeping it Real, One Hilarious Takedown at a Time

So, is Miriam Margolyes a national treasure or a professional pot-stirrer? The answer, my friends, is probably a bit of both. She’s a woman who says what she thinks, consequences be damned. And in a world where everyone seems to be carefully curating their image, her unfiltered honesty is both refreshing and wildly entertaining.

One thing’s for sure: whether you love her or love to hate her, you can’t deny that Miriam Margolyes keeps things interesting. And honestly, isn’t that what we all want from our celebrities? A little bit of drama, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of “did she really just say that?”

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of Miriam Margolyes and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication. We reached out to Lily Allen for a comment but haven’t heard back yet. Stay tuned!