Viewers of The One Show were outraged after actress Miriam Margolyes appeared to ‘fat shame’ Cbeebies favourite Justin Fletcher.
The Call the Midwife star, who was on the programme with the Mr Tumble actor last night (21.10.19), made a cheeky comment as she spoke about her upcoming projects.
Presenter Michelle Ackerley pointed out that Miriam seemed to be very busy at the moment.
Read more: Matt Baker stuns Emma Willis with revolting joke on The One Show
She replied, jokingly: “Yes, they haven’t found me out yet. So I’m very lucky. I’m doing a series on obesity, about which I know a great deal, being a very fat person.”
Miriam then turned to Justin and said: “You’re not slim, are you?”
“I’m not slim,” he admitted, laughing awkwardly and shaking his head.
Michelle threw a hand over her mouth in shock as she laughed, while her co-host Amol Rajan quickly cut in: “Hey! Hey! Hey! That’s outrageous. I think you look terrific, Justin.”
The Mr Tumble actor, who was also in a fit of giggles, told him: “Thank you, thank you.”
Miriam added: “He’s lovely. Of course he is.”
There seemed to be no hard feelings in the studio, but on Twitter some viewers weren’t happy.
One tweeted: “Miriam Margolyes just fat shamed Mr Tumble and tbh that actually upsets me because he seems like such a nice bloke and he did not deserve that #TheOneShow.”
Another wrote: “To many parents Justin Fletcher, AKA Mr Tumble, is a hero… he shouldn’t be fat shamed. You wouldn’t take the [bleep] out of Superman for wearing pants on the outside!”
Poor Mr Tumble, when Miriam said, ‘You’re not slim, are you?’
A third angry viewer said: “Am I the only one who found Miriam saying to Justin ‘You’re not slim, are you?’ unacceptable?! I didn’t find it funny watching poor Justin smile and nod uncomfortably. Imagine the outrage if a man said that to a lady! #TheOneShow #fatshaming.”
ED! has contacted the BBC for comment.
https://twitter.com/AmbaSeren/status/1186347955462332419
#TheOneShow To many parents Justin Fletcher AKA Mr Tumble, is a Hero…
He shouldn't be Fat shamed. You wouldn't take the piss put of superman for wearing pants on the outside !
— RobBobbyboyTy (@robbobty64) October 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/kimberlyg01/status/1186348440508342272
Not all viewers had a problem with the comment though, with many praising both Justin and Miriam as “lovely” guests.
“‘You’re not slim, are you?’ to Justin Fletcher. I love #MiriamMargolyes #TheOneShow,” said one.
Someone else tweeted: “OMG poor #MrTumble when Miriam said ‘you’re not slim, are you’. I love them both equally, what lovely warm guests.”
https://twitter.com/niaserenwib/status/1186347387289251840
#TheOneShow OMG poor #mrtumble when Miriam said “your not slim are you” I love them both equally what lovely warm guests
— Manda (@Manda1L) October 21, 2019
After that, the conversation turned back to Miriam’s work on various documentaries.
She told them: “I’ve done one documentary in Australia, called Miriam Margolyes Almost an Australian, and I go round upsetting people, basically, and finding out if I can fit in in that amazingly extraordinary country.”
Read more: Call The Midwife creator Heidi Thomas denies she’s QUIT her role
She also spoke about working on the upcoming Christmas special of Call the Midwife, which was filmed in the Outer Hebrides.
“[It was] very cold. Very beautiful. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been,” she said of the setting for the special, which will be followed by a ninth series.
The One Show is on BBC One weekdays at 7pm.
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