Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

Sienna Miller responds to ‘extreme’ reaction over decision not to wear a poppy on Graham Norton

The actress was heavily criticised on social media 

Heather Saul
Friday 06 November 2015 14:20 GMT
Comments
Ms Miller was on the show with Bradley Cooper to promote her new film, Burnt
Ms Miller was on the show with Bradley Cooper to promote her new film, Burnt (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sienna Miller has addressed the furore over her decision not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy and admitted she might have filmed another show without wearing one.

The Burnt actress was a guest on the Graham Norton Show alongside her co-star Bradley Cooper, who was wearing a poppy, on Friday. Viewers reacted angrily, claiming Miller was “disrespectful” and failing to be a role model by not wearing the poppy.

Miller revealed she had been wearing a poppy while on set, but was forced to remove it just before being called on stage because it was pulling on her dress.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, she described the controversy this caused as “extreme”.

She said: “I had a poppy on funnily enough and I was wearing a dress that was like crepe paper basically and as I was going on I looked down, it was tearing at the dress and they'd said my name and so I whipped it off.

“It's unfortunate that it's been made such a huge kind of... it's really snowballed apparently and of course I don't think there is anyone in this country that isn't grateful and respectful and never would want to cause offence and wear a poppy all the time but people kind of focus on things enough to pick at the negative.”

Miller is concerned about another TV appearance due to be aired in case she wasn’t wearing a poppy on that either.

“Also, there's another show I'm worried about coming up because we pre-recorded it, where we're probably not wearing poppies but some of these things are filmed weeks before they air. But you can't please everyone and I meant no disrespect. Of course I didn't.”

Poppies are worn to honour servicemen and women who fought during the First and Second world wars, as a symbol of the red flowers that grew on the battlefield at the end of World War I.

They are sold by volunteers of the The Royal British Legion each year and are ubiquitous on the streets and on television screens in the week running up to Remembrance Day, which falls on 11 November.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in