Miriam Margolyes calls John Cleese ‘bitter old man’ in interview

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