Dame Maureen Lipman reveals she 'extended an olive branch' to BBC actor after he quit West End show in protest over her pro-Israel views

Dame Maureen Lipman has revealed she ‘extended an olive branch’ to a BBC actor after he quit a West End show in protest over her pro-Israel views.

The veteran actress, 80, insisted she was ‘not vengeful’ towards the Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy, 45, despite his decision to withdraw from Right Before I Go after she joined the cast.

But she indicated that her attempt to draw a line under the dispute had failed to settle their differences, saying McCarthy was still ‘fighting his corner’ and that she now planned to stay out of the row.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Maureen said: 'I extended an olive branch. I’m not vengeful about what he did. I hope it’s not the thin edge of the wedge, that’s all I can say. 

'He’s fighting his corner and I’m just going to stay out of it now.’

When asked if she felt antisemitism is becoming more of a problem in the arts generally, she replied: '[It's] not just a problem in the arts.

'It’s in the medical profession, it’s in journalism, it’s in publishing. It remains to be seen whether anyone is going to protect us, to look after us, or whether we’re going to have to do it ourselves.’

Dame Maureen Lipman has revealed that she ‘extended an olive branch’ to actor Gerard McCarthy after he quit a theatre production following a row over her views on Israel and Palestine 

McCarthy was one of two performers to withdraw from Right Before I Go following Dame Maureen’s casting, (pictured in July) 

McCarthy was one of two performers to withdraw from Right Before I Go following Dame Maureen’s casting. 

Transgender actor Iz Hesketh, 28, also pulled out, saying comments made by the actress did not align with her ‘personal values and beliefs’.

After announcing his departure in a lengthy social media statement, McCarthy liked several abusive comments posted beneath it.

They included one which called Dame Maureen a ‘zio hag’, while others described her as an ‘odious ghoul’, a ‘vile bigot’ and a ‘horrid f****** witch’.

‘Zio’, an abbreviation of Zionist, is widely recognised by Jewish organisations as an antisemitic slur.

After being approached by the Daily Mail, McCarthy removed the likes and said: ‘I do not endorse antisemitic language or personal abuse directed at Dame Maureen Lipman, and regret having inadvertently appeared to do so by liking a number of comments among the hundreds posted beneath my statement.

‘My likes were intended as acknowledgements of support for my decision to withdraw, rather than endorsements of every word used in those comments. Having had the specific language brought to my attention, I have removed those likes.

‘My position remains the one set out in my original statement: my decision concerned views publicly expressed by one individual regarding Israel and Palestine. It was not about her Jewish identity, and I am against antisemitism.’

Dame Maureen, who is Jewish, previously accused McCarthy of cowardice for announcing his withdrawal without first contacting her.

She challenged him to ‘have the courage to face me’ and explain what he believed she should ‘do, or think, or say’.

The actress made her latest remarks at the press night of Don Black’s sold-out show From the Heart at the Garrick Theatre in London.

The musical revue, celebrating the Oscar-winning lyricist’s career, features a cast including EastEnders star Shona McGarty, Clive Rowe, Caroline O’Connor, Frances Mayli McCann and Michael D. Xavier.

Michael Ball made a surprise appearance midway through the show to perform Love Changes Everything.

He told the audience: ‘I was just passing by. I will be forever grateful that Don Black gave me this song.’

McGarty also sang the EastEnders theme tune on stage, while the cast performed a mash-up of the James Bond themes Thunderball and Diamonds Are Forever.

Brenda Blethyn, Gyles Brandreth and former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison were among those in attendance.

Black joined the cast on stage at the end of the show and said: ‘This is wonderful to be here. And what about our special guest. He’s my favourite of all times, Michael Ball.

‘I’ve been working on this show for 30 years or more, which goes to prove that it doesn’t matter how old you are, dreams last forever, and this dream has stayed with me all these years.’

The actress made her latest remarks at the press night of Don Black’s sold-out show From the Heart at the Garrick Theatre in London