Miriam Margolyes calls Monty Python star John Cleese a ‘bitter old man’ in new interview
Miriam Margolyes and John Cleese both attended Cambridge University’s prestigious drama society, Footlights. (David Levenson/Paras Griffin/Getty)
Miriam Margolyes and John Cleese both attended Cambridge University's prestigious drama society, Footlights. (David Levenson/Paras Griffin/Getty)
In a new interview, national treasure and lesbian icon Miriam Margolyes accused Monty Python’s John Cleese of being a “bitter old man” who once made her cry with his behaviour.
Appearing on The Life of Bryony podcast, the 84-year-old actress reflected on her career and some of her less likeable acting partners.
While promoting her new book, The Little Book of Miriam, Margolyes took listeners through her time at Cambridge University’s prestigious drama society, Footlights. Alongside her in the society were future Monty Python creators John Cleese and Graham Chapman.
Miriam Margolyes said she was treated differently, refusing to look or talk to her, because she was “a larger-than-life woman”.
“In those days, Footlights didn’t have to accommodate women – like the rest of the university,” she explained.
“We were in a minority. We felt allowed to be there, rather than welcomed.
“I have never felt like that about myself. I take up the space I take in the world, and I think it’s worth the same as anybody else’s space.
“My mother was so thrilled that I was a part of Footlights, she rang the Oxford Mail. She gave an interview about me, how great I was. I never asked her to do that.
Margolyes claimed that the interview riled up Cleese (now 85) and Chapman (who passed in 1989).
‘I remember the pain’
She recalled: “They didn’t like me, and they showed that by refusing to talk to me or look at me off stage.
“I have never forgotten it… I mean, it makes no difference now. Graham’s dead, and John is, unfortunately, a bitter old man.
“I’m still pissed off about it. I think that shows that I am not good at letting things go because it was 60 years ago.”
She continued: “I should let it go, but I remember the pain, I remember the hurt. I remember how I would cry when I went home.”
John Cleese faced backlash in 2020 for posts about the transgender community that he made on X (then, Twitter) that many found controversial.
He posted that he “identifies” as a “Cambodian police woman”, which some people saw as mocking and derisive of the trans experience.
Also, when JK Rowling first started to become vocal about trans issues, Cleese said he was “baffled” by the debate and “proud” to stand in solidarity with the Harry Potter author.
The Little Book of Miriam is available from Thursday 11th September.
