Pioneering actress Miriam Margolyes makes British Vogue cover debut aged 82 as she tells magazine ‘I never had any shame about being gay’

Actress Miriam Margolyes has said she “never had any shame about being gay” as she makes her British Vogue cover debut aged 82.

The award-winning star features alongside other LGBTQ+ pioneers, including Ncuti Gatwa and Emma D’Arcy, in the July Pride issue edition of the UK fashion bible.

Margolyes, known for her lovable eccentricity, said gay people are “not conventional”, and she “wouldn’t want to be straight for anything”.

The British-Australian actress is known for a wide range of work in the TV and film industry, including roles in Blackadder, Babe and her work as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films.

On her cover, Margolyes is sporting a royal blue wrap and an elaborate mesh headpiece.

Celebrating the latest issue, British Vogue said on Instagram: “#Pride and joy abound in the July 2023 issue of #BritishVogue, with Tim Walker capturing a shimmering army of LGBTQ+ pioneers, from pop sensations to pensioners, models to movie stars, who share their stories of style, self-discovery and expression.

“First up, actor and raconteur Miriam Margolyes, who makes her Vogue cover debut at 82.”

In another shot, Margolyes is pictured in the nude – with pastries and tea.

Posted on Twitter by the magazine, the caption read: “‘I’m still a bit of a child,’ says #MiriamMargolyes. ‘I can’t resist naughtiness.’

“In #BritishVogue’s July 2023 issue, the actor is at her very best – cheeky, wonderfully candid, and an absolute breath of fresh air.”

In the interview with Vogue, Margolyes discussed her sexuality and when she met her partner Heather Sutherland.

The pair have been together for 54 years and are now living together in Amsterdam.

Margolyes first came out in 1966, when homosexuality was still illegal in Britain.

She explained that she was raised in a Jewish family, and when she opened up to her parents about her sexuality, “It hurt them, and I don’t want to hurt people”.

But still, Margolyes said she never had “shame” about being gay.

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Margolyes told Vogue: “I never had any shame about being gay or anything really.

“I knew it wasn’t criminal because it was me. I couldn’t be [a] criminal.

“I think gay people are very lucky, because we are not conventional, we are a group slightly apart. It gives us an edge. We’re good artists, we’re good musicians.

“And I like being gay. I wouldn’t want to be straight for anything,” she added.