Miriam Margolyes was a big fan of the Queen – but says it wasn’t mutual

And the first series has just been nominated for a Scottish Bafta, so we’re very excited.

Now you’re doing a podcast, Acting For Others Presents…

I’ve done quite a few podcasts but do you know this very weird thing called TikTok? You know Cameo, where you earn money for saying ‘happy birthday’ to someone?

Well, people have been putting my Cameo on this TikTok website and it’s made me very popular. Sometimes I’m rude and swear and say ‘c***’ and ‘f***’ and ‘up your a***hole’ and people like it.

Where did this foul mouth come from?

I have always had that. I didn’t swear at home because my parents wouldn’t have liked it but I swear in public because it’s fun.

It’s not very ladylike, Miriam.

It isn’t. But I’m not very ladylike. I’ve got a ladylike voice and I think it’s the contrast of saying ‘c***face’ in a very sweet voice that engages people. Anyway, I’ve made a lot of money out of it so I’m perfectly happy with that.

He’s gay, he’s a brilliant actor, stunning, a stratospheric range and a great sweetness.

There’s a vulnerability and an honesty about him and he’s quite shy. I acted with him in Little Dorrit. Sometimes I think he might disapprove of me because I’m rather over the top but I love him.

These are all conversations between actors. Do actors generally get on?

Actors love each other. We’re called ‘luvvies’ by ignorant c***s as a term of abuse but actually actors genuinely love each other and enjoy being together.

It’s strange that you’ve started this intrepid, travelling around the world doing documentaries later in life.

I know. It just happened but I said, ‘I must have a camper van because if I need to go to the toilet, I can’t hang on to my pee’. I can p*** myself easily because I have a very poor pelvic floor.

Do you feel you have more freedom as you get older?

As you get older, you do give yourself more leeway to behave as you feel. So I’m often a bit naughty.

Were you a fan of anyone when you were younger?

The Queen! I was a huge fan. My den at home was covered with pictures. Then I met her and she didn’t like me, so…

Because you were swearing?

No, because I was silly. It’s in my book, This Much Is True. It’s been two months at the top of the bestseller list.

Is that why you’re jetting about, to avoid the taxman?

I pay my taxes. People who don’t are disgraceful. I don’t like disloyalty or betrayal or hiding money and I don’t like drugs.

So, you’ve never been drunk on champagne?

No, I like champagne but I once went to a drinks party in Cambridge and had 17 sherries. I was violently sick for four hours.

Have we covered everything?