Mo Gilligan makes Andi Peters joke at NTAs after backlash against Miriam Margolyes

| Deputy TV editor Published September 8, 2026 8:58pm Updated September 8, 2026 9:32pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Mo Gilligan has made a joke about Miriam Margolyes and the recent backlash she faced after she used a racist term to describe This Morning star, Andi Peters. The comedian was presenting the Factual Entertainment award at the NTAs when he made the joke. Wandering out on stage, he introduced himself to the audience, explaining that he was Mo Gilligan. ‘If you know me, I’m Mo Gilligan,’ he began, but before announcing the nominees, he said: ” And if you don’t know me, then I’m Andi Peters” The joke is thought to be a reference to Margolyes’ recent appearance on This Morning, where she used the term ‘high yella’ to refer to Peters skin colour. The term is a historically derogatory American expression for a Black person with a lighter complexion. Mo didn’t hold back at the NTAs (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images for The NTA’s) The joke received a mixed reception online (Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for The NTA’s) Following Gilligan’s joke, many took to social media to let the world know how they felt about it. There was a mix of those who found the joke funny, with many sharing GIFs of people laughing and those who found it all a bit awkward. @Racingfan211 wrote: ‘Mo Gilligan does make me laugh’ while @PJDavies1962 claimed: ‘That was funny, Mo.’ @AndyGibsonTV, however, said:’If you don’t know me, I’m Andi Peters. That joke fell flat as a pancake.’ Since Margolyes appeared on This Morning, Peters has responded to the incident. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Peters has responded to the incident(Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) The This Morning presenter, 56, briefly addressed the incident after fellow broadcaster Jeremy Vine praised the way he dealt with Margolyes. Sharing the footage on social media, Vine wrote: ‘This is seriously nerve-wracking. No filter. ‘@andipeters dealt with it brilliantly, but note at the end – “they’re getting nervous” [the producers].’ To which Peters then responded: ‘Thanks, JV. As you know, we have to be ready for ANYTHING!!!’ Margolyes has also spoken about it at a book tour event in Southend-on-Sea, where she said she ‘didn’t want to embarrass or hurt Andi because he seems very nice’. Deals of the Day Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 However, her words were not well recieved as while speaking she used the word ‘cripple’ to refer to people with disabilities. Arrow MORE: Katie Price ‘ditched by glam squad’ after claiming surgery made her look like a hamster Arrow MORE: Joel Dommett reveals major Taskmaster regret after being ‘tortured’ by Greg Davies Arrow MORE: Coronation Street and Emmerdale pulled from schedules tonight – and football isn’t to blame TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.