Latest news with #Oxford-born
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harry Potter's Miriam Margolyes announces she 'doesn't have long to live'
A Harry Potter acting legend has given a poignant update on her health, confessing she fears she may not have long left. Miriam Margolyes, 84, famed for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter saga, spoke candidly about her health woes in a chat with The Times. She disclosed: "When you know that you haven't got long to live - and I'm probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I'm loath to leave behind performing. It's such a joy. I yearn to play roles that don't confine me to wheelchairs, but I'm just not strong enough." READ MORE: Edinburgh's Fred Goodwin to bag £600k-a-year pension as final RBS sale set to cost taxpayers £10bn READ MORE: Toddler who died in Edinburgh hospital was given devastating diagnosis months after seizure The Oxford-born talent has battled a series of health setbacks over the years, including spinal stenosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. In 2023, she underwent aortic valve replacement surgery, which she claims spared her from more drastic procedures. "I've got a cow's heart now," she quipped on Jessie and Lennie Ware's Table Manners podcast. "Well, not the whole heart. I've had an aortic valve replaced by a cow's aortic valve. I don't know how common it is. I'd never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Despite the success of the surgery, the beloved actress acknowledged that she often suffers pain and feels physically constrained. Margolyes has previously mentioned that she is officially registered as disabled and depends on sticks, a walker, and a mobility scooter for getting around, reports the Express. Miriam opened up about her struggles with her health, revealing that she is registered disabled and relies on various forms of assistance to get around. Speaking to Closer magazine, she shared: "I can't walk very well, and I'm registered disabled. I use all kinds of assistance. I've got two sticks and a walker and they're such a bore, but I've just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun." The actress has been candid about her health concerns in the past, admitting that she may have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe for the last time due to her ongoing pain and mobility issues. In an emotional interview with the Metro, she confessed: "I'm often in pain... bodily conditions make life difficult, so it's unlikely I will do it again. But I love connecting with an audience, and I love sharing my knowledge and love of Dickens." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Margolyes has also expressed her fears about requiring more intensive care in the future, telling Radio Times that she worries about not having enough money to pay for carers when her health deteriorates. During an appearance on Loose Women, she added: "One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for. It is really because I want to make money though and they pay me to do it."
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Miriam Margolyes' hidden health woes as she admits she 'doesn't have long left'
Beloved actress Miriam Margolyes has admitted a heartbreaking fear about her health saying she hasn't got "long to live" - just two years after the Harry Potter star underwent heart surgery Actress Miriam Margolyes has been a staple of British stage and screen for decades, but she has admitted that ongoing health issues have limited the kind of roles she can take on in recent years. The actress, who played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, opened up in an interview about a heartbreaking fear regarding her health, saying that she believes she hasn't got "long to live". Speaking to The Times, Miriam said, "When you know that you haven't got long to live – and I'm probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I'm loath to leave behind performing. It's such a joy. I yearn to play roles that don't confine me to wheelchairs, but I'm just not strong enough." Miriam, 84, underwent heart surgery back in 2023 to have her aortic valve replaced - a procedure that luckily meant she avoided a much more invasive open heart surgery. She explained on the Table Manners podcast - hosted by Jessie and Lennie Ware - "I've got a cow's heart now," adding, "Well, not the whole heart. I've had an aortic valve replaced by a cow's aortic valve. I don't know how common it is. I'd never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive." The candid actress has dealt with a few health issues over the years and has previously revealed she is registered as disabled. The Mirror looks back at the health problems that Miriam has struggled with... Spinal Stenosis The Oxford-born actress suffers from spinal stenosis, which she has said seriously impacts her mobility. Spinal stenosis occurs when the tunnels in the spine, which contain nerves, narrow - this can be quite common as people get older, per the NHS - and some people experience very few symptoms, or their nerves learn to adapt to the smaller space. However, for others, more rarely, it can have more of a serious impact, causing weakness in the arms and legs and affecting their function, which can have a big impact on movement and quality of life. It can also lead to more "serious conditions called cauda equina syndrome or cervical myelopathy. These are rare, but serious spinal conditions which can lead to permanent damage or disability." When opening up about her spinal stenosis and the impact it has had on her mobility, Miriam revealed to the Radio Times that she initially wanted to hide her difficulties from her audiences. "When I started kind of failing physically, I remember saying to directors and producers, please don't show me clambering out of a car or climbing upstairs on my hands and knees. "But, subsequently, I've met loads of people who have said I gave them the courage to do things that they never thought they could." There are two kinds of spinal stenosis, lumbar and cervical, and some people suffer from both simultaneously, with lumbar impacting the legs and arms. Symptoms of spinal stenosis include: weakness, pain, numbness or tingling, and a pins and needles sensation in the arms or legs, with cramping and heaviness also occurring in lumbar spinal stenosis. Miriam has said that her spinal condition means she has to use mobility aids to get around. "I can't walk very well, and I'm registered disabled,' she told Closer. "I use all kinds of assistance. I've got two sticks and a walker and they're such a bore, but I've just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun." Miriam joked, "It's like having a new toy. It's very good for shopping because it's got a basket on it - and I do enjoy whizzing around on it immensely." Arthritis The BAFTA-winning actress has opened up a few times about her battle with osteoarthritis, which caused her to undergo a knee replacement surgery in 2016. She told Arthritis Digest that after a five-week stay in a dedicated rehabilitation facility post-surgery, she worked with a personal trainer to help build up muscles around her knee, but she also moved house so that she wouldn't have to go up and down stairs as much. Miriam - who was awarded an OBE in 2002 - explained that she first noticed symptoms of osteoarthritis when she was only in her mid-30s. "I actually noticed the first symptoms of osteoarthritis when I was only 35 years old,' she said. "Some swelling in my knuckles turned out to be Heberden's nodes and I was grateful that it didn't progress any further at that stage. "Ten years ago, my knees started to protest. I had broken a bone in my knee when I was at school and that was where the new problems began." She also revealed that cold or damp weather worsens her symptoms, but offered some inspirational advice to other people dealing with the same issue. "My advice for anyone living with arthritis pain is to keep moving as much as possible and don't allow yourself to become isolated. Get up and stretch and bend… and do that little bit more than you want to. All of the illnesses we can fall victim to have societies and it is worth getting involved and sharing experiences. Be proactive, don't get sunk in the depression of the disease. Nobody escapes pain or stress, we're all having a problem and we all need an inside strength to keep going," she said. Osteoporosis The actress also has been diagnosed with osteoporosis and works as an ambassador Royal Osteoporosis Society. The condition makes bones weaker, unfortunately meaning they are more likely to break. Whilst losing bone density is a normal thing that happens to everyone when they get older, osteoporosis is more serious and needs to be managed. She told the BBC about her condition that she wouldn't let it get her down, explaining with her characteristic good humour, "If we take control of our illness as best we can, it's a very good psychological stimulus to getting on with life and not being downed by something with six syllables". Stress Incontinence Miriam, who has never shied away from uncomfortable topics and speaking her mind, told The Guardian in 2017 that after undergoing surgery to have a kidney stone removed, she began to suffer from stress incontinence - something that is common as people get older, particularly women. "I have to be near a toilet because if I cough or sneeze, I can p**s myself. I think it's common among people my age, but nobody ever talks about it. I've got to talk about it. It's on my mind," she said. Miriam explained that once, when walking on Hampstead Heath, she had to ask a stranger to use their bathroom urgently. "I knocked on a door and I said I'm terribly sorry but I'm going to ask to have a s**t in your toilet, is that all right? The owner looked at me for a minute and then said: 'I think I recognise you, are you Miriam Margolyes? I said: Yes, I am … does that make it better or worse?" Care worries Miriam has opened up a couple of times about her concerns about paying for carers as she gets older, explaining to the Radio Times: "I'm worried that I won't have enough money for carers when I finally get paralysed or whatever it is that's going to happen to me...I'm saving up cash so that I can pay people to look after me and my partner. We don't have children, so I need to make sure I'm going to be looked after in the way that I've become accustomed." She echoed these sentiments on Loose Women, "One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for. It is really because I want to make money though and they pay me to do it."
Irish Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes says she has 'not got long to live'
Harry Potter legend Miriam Margolyes has opened up about her health struggles, admitting she fears her time could be running short. The 84 year-old star, famed for playing Professor Sprout, spoke candidly to The Times about her mortality. She shared her poignant thoughts: "When you know that you haven't got long to live – and I'm probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I'm loath to leave behind performing. It's such a joy. I yearn to play roles that don't confine me to wheelchairs, but I'm just not strong enough." Despite her illustrious career, the Oxford-born actress has battled a series of health issues, including spinal stenosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. In a bid to avoid more drastic measures, in 2023 she had an aortic valve replacement, steering clear of open-heart surgery. With her trademark humour intact, she quipped on Jessie and Lennie Ware's Table Manners podcast: "I've got a cow's heart now," clarifying, "Well, not the whole heart. I've had an aortic valve replaced by a cow's aortic valve. I don't know how common it is. I'd never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive." Even after the successful procedure, Miriam acknowledges the ongoing pain and limitations she faces. She has previously mentioned being registered as disabled and depends on sticks, a walker, and a mobility scooter for getting around, reports the Mirror. In an interview with Closer magazine, she revealed: "I can't walk very well, and I'm registered disabled. I use all kinds of assistance. I've got two sticks and a walker and they're such a bore, but I've just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun." Margolyes has been open about her health issues in the past, hinting that her days of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe may be behind her due to ongoing pain and mobility problems. Speaking to Metro, she shared: "I'm often in pain... bodily conditions make life difficult, so it's unlikely I will do it again. But I love connecting with an audience, and I love sharing my knowledge and love of Dickens." The actress has also expressed concerns about her future care needs, telling Radio Times that she worries about being able to afford adequate carers. During an appearance on Loose Women, she admitted: "One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for."
Edinburgh Live
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Harry Potter's Miriam Margolyes announces she 'doesn't have long to live'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Harry Potter acting legend has given a poignant update on her health, confessing she fears she may not have long left. Miriam Margolyes, 84, famed for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter saga, spoke candidly about her health woes in a chat with The Times. She disclosed: "When you know that you haven't got long to live - and I'm probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I'm loath to leave behind performing. It's such a joy. I yearn to play roles that don't confine me to wheelchairs, but I'm just not strong enough." The Oxford-born talent has battled a series of health setbacks over the years, including spinal stenosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. In 2023, she underwent aortic valve replacement surgery, which she claims spared her from more drastic procedures. "I've got a cow's heart now," she quipped on Jessie and Lennie Ware's Table Manners podcast. "Well, not the whole heart. I've had an aortic valve replaced by a cow's aortic valve. I don't know how common it is. I'd never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Despite the success of the surgery, the beloved actress acknowledged that she often suffers pain and feels physically constrained. Margolyes has previously mentioned that she is officially registered as disabled and depends on sticks, a walker, and a mobility scooter for getting around, reports the Express. Miriam opened up about her struggles with her health, revealing that she is registered disabled and relies on various forms of assistance to get around. Speaking to Closer magazine, she shared: "I can't walk very well, and I'm registered disabled. I use all kinds of assistance. I've got two sticks and a walker and they're such a bore, but I've just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun." The actress has been candid about her health concerns in the past, admitting that she may have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe for the last time due to her ongoing pain and mobility issues. In an emotional interview with the Metro, she confessed: "I'm often in pain... bodily conditions make life difficult, so it's unlikely I will do it again. But I love connecting with an audience, and I love sharing my knowledge and love of Dickens." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Margolyes has also expressed her fears about requiring more intensive care in the future, telling Radio Times that she worries about not having enough money to pay for carers when her health deteriorates. During an appearance on Loose Women, she added: "One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for. It is really because I want to make money though and they pay me to do it."
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Miriam Margolyes says she 'doesn't have long to live' after major heart surgery
Miriam Margolyes, who is best known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, has shared a heartbreaking update on her health as she fears she doesn't have long left to live Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes has given a heart-rending update on her health, revealing her fear that she might not have much time left. The 84-year-old actress, known for her role as Professor Sprout in the magical franchise, opened up about her health concerns during an interview with The Times. She confessed: "When you know that you haven't got long to live – and I'm probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I'm loath to leave behind performing. It's such a joy. I yearn to play roles that don't confine me to wheelchairs, but I'm just not strong enough." Despite her vibrant career, the Oxford-born actress has faced several health challenges over the years, including spinal stenosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. In 2023, she underwent a procedure to replace an aortic valve, avoiding more invasive open-heart surgery. Jokingly, she said on Jessie and Lennie Ware's Table Manners podcast: "I've got a cow's heart now," further explaining, "Well, not the whole heart. I've had an aortic valve replaced by a cow's aortic valve. I don't know how common it is. I'd never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive." Although the surgery was a success, Miriam admitted she still endures pain and physical limitations. She has previously stated she is registered as disabled and relies on sticks, a walker, and a mobility scooter to aid her movement. Miriam candidly discussed her health challenges and her status as registered disabled, confessing to Closer magazine that she struggles with mobility: "I can't walk very well, and I'm registered disabled. I use all kinds of assistance. I've got two sticks and a walker and they're such a bore, but I've just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun." The esteemed actress has never shied away from speaking openly about her health issues, even hinting that her performances at the Edinburgh Fringe may be behind her due to pain and mobility constraints. Offering an intimate glimpse into her struggle during a chat with Metro, she divulged: "I'm often in pain... bodily conditions make life difficult, so it's unlikely I will do it again. But I love connecting with an audience, and I love sharing my knowledge and love of Dickens." Margolyes hasn't kept her concerns over future care needs secret either, voicing apprehensions to Radio Times about affording adequate carers. She further expanded on her thoughts while visiting Loose Women, where she admitted: "One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for. It is really because I want to make money though and they pay me to do it."
