Joely Richardson breaks silence after being accused of 'slurring words' in live interview

Joely Richardson has broken her silence on social media after being accused of seeming “still drunk” during her This Morning appearance on Thursday. The stars’ early morning TV appearance came just hours after the premiere of the show and its afterparty in London. Viewers claimed Richardson appeared unusually animated while answering hosts Andi Peters and Christine Lampard’s questions and suggested she was “slurring her words” and seemed “worse for wear”.The esteemed actor brushed the controversy aside on Thursday evening, however, as she shared new photos of her with The Gentlemen cast promoting the new series. The Downton Abbey star wore a red leather dress with black stilettos as she posed playfully with co-star Giancarlo Esposito in front of a helicopter emblazoned with the show’s motif. “Thinking of you all tonight visiting @guyritchie’s gaff, and hope you all enjoyed the ride,” she captioned the post.“@thegiancarloesposito and I loved seeing you off for The Gentlemen experience. Buckle up for Season 2.”The 101 Dalmatians actor raised eyebrows with her seemingly “tipsy” behaviour on This Morning earlier that day.When host Peters asked if she had enjoyed working with co-star Jones, 61, Richardson clutched the actor’s arm and said: “The best thing about Vinnie is Emma, his partner, who is right there. Who I got to know very well over season two.”She continued to hold onto Jones’ shoulder and pointed into the studio past the cameras, where Jones’ girlfriend Emma Ford was standing, and blew her a kiss. Read MoreViewers shared their observations about the star’s antics on social media, with one writing: “Aww lovely Joely - still tipsy from the premiere god love her - she’s ok shes a national treasure.”“She looks and sounds like she is still drunk,” a second user claimed and a third agreed: “I thought Joely seemed a bit out of sorts! Sounded like she was slurred.”“Sounds a little worse for wear there,” someone else commented.The Standard has contacted Richardson’s representative for comment. She attended the premiere on Wednesday night at the Guildhall in London alongside co-stars like Maya Jama, Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.The group then headed to the afterparty beneath the venue.