Call the Midwife actress Helen George has caused controversy after claiming that the growing influence of Nigel Farage represents an alarming development for women’s rights in Britain.

The 41-year-old, who portrays midwife Trixie in the long-running BBC drama, said that feminism faces its greatest challenge yet amid rising nationalist sentiment.

“We’re seeing the patriarchy get stronger and stronger, and I find that really terrifying,” Ms George said to the Mirror.

“I think what comes with nationalism that we’re seeing with the St George’s flags, you know, and I don’t want to get too political, but what comes with that as well is an anti-feminist mood.”

The actress also identified the self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate’s social media influence as fuelling toxic masculinity among British men.

Ms George drew a parallel between attitudes in society to that of the dystopian world depicted in The Handmaid’s Tale, where women exist under brutal patriarchal control with no autonomy over their bodies.

“I feel like we’re being hoodwinked into it, and I say this to my partner all the time, I feel like we could turn around in a few years and it’s The Handmaid’s Tale,” she warned.

“I feel like we’re not as far away from that as we think we are. We think that we have all this power as women, but it’s coming for us,” Ms George claimed.

She described the situation as “sleepwalking” towards a dangerous future, particularly if Mr Farage enters Number 10.

“The anti-abortion laws and things. I feel like they will probably be debated in Parliament, especially if Nigel Farage has his way,” she said.

“It is insane that now it’s illegal in some states in America,” Ms George remarked, noting that Call the Midwife has depicted the dangers of backstreet terminations throughout its historical storylines.

She argued that restricting access to abortion causes greater harm, stating bluntly: “People will die.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• James May hits back as he’s embroiled in ‘racism’ row after ‘dog-whistle’ remark to Jeremy Vine star
• Ricky Gervais fires back as he’s accused of ‘whining about being cancelled’ in new stand-up special
• Eamonn Holmes blasts ‘absolute filth’ on Channel 4 – ‘Porn by another name!’

Ms George’s comments have caused quite the stir on social media since they were published by the Mirror this week, with several accusing her of “virtue-signalling” and “scaremongering”.

On X, one social media user sarcastically reacted to the article: “Oh. That’s ok then. I can sleep easy now. I’ve always wondered Helen George thought of Nigel and I respect her opinion so much,” followed by a series of laughing emojis.

“All the luvies who want their BBC contracts renewed say that,” a second weighed in, before a third hit back: “Lol….. can’t wait until he’s in No 10…..@Nigel_Farage for PM.”

Elsewhere, a fourth responded: “I had never heard of her. Good luck to her in her career, but it looks like mostly ‘celebrity’ cameos now. I’d rather hear from people who actually understand policy and government.”

“She is entitled to her opinions, but do they really think because they are on the TV, we will follow their opinions. I think not,” a fifth weighed in, before a sixth brutally put: “Another minor celeb virtue signalling.”

And another kept the sarcasm coming with their reaction: “Yeah because we are all listening to leftie celebrities. Especially after so many endorsed El-Fattah. Have a day off!!!”

However, Ms George did receive plenty of support from her fans, and those opposed to Mr Farage and his charge to Downing Street.

“She’s not wrong, glad to know that Trixie is a good character in the show and real life,” one fan argued, referring to her Call the Midwife persona.

“And this statement is controversial because?” a second questioned, while a third weighed in: “She’s right but they have the public’s ear. I say public but meant hard of thinking.” (sic)

Mr Farage is yet to publicly respond to Ms George’s comments, although he did hit headlines on New Year’s Eve after publishing his very own New Year’s message.