Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am was left speechless on a UK chat show after Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes said she was "fascinated" by him because he is black.
Will.i.am was telling an anecdote about how he came up with his rap monikers on The Graham Norton show last night when Margolyes spoke of her admiration for him.
"I'm just fascinated by you," she said, looking admiringly at her fellow guest.
Will.i.am looked as though he did not know what to say while host Graham Norton and fellow guest, Greg Davies, burst into laughter.
"Because unfortunately, I don't know many black people except in show business," Margolyes went on.
"Except in show business and that’s what's so nice."
The rapper, who laughed awkwardly after the quip, had no response to Margolyes' comment.
Davies tried to diffuse the situation by giggling and saying: "It's exotic".
"It's lovely Miriam, you're right," added Norton.
Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in two Harry Potter films, was clearly taken by Will.i.am, who explained how he raised $7 million to build a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics centre in an LA ghetto.
"You're fabulous. How unexpected that a rapper would do this," she said.
"I don't have a very positive attitude towards rappers. I don't really know any, you're the first one I've actually talked to," she told him.
He responded: "I'm the first black dude and rapper you've kicked it with."
