Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes has spoken out about her ongoing health conditions, saying they are making it difficult to do certain things – including a return to the stage

Miriam Margolyes has said she will bid farewell to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year(Image: PA)

Beloved Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes has revealed she’s being forced to bid farewell to a significant part of her career due to debilitating health issues that are “making life difficult”.

The 83-year-old star was speaking ahead of her performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where she is set to complete a nine-date run of Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits.

When asked if she would return for another version of the show or a completely different production, Miriam expressed doubt due to her ongoing health struggles.

In a conversation with Metro, she shared that this tour was her way of “saying goodbye” to the renowned Scottish city’s festival.

Miriam elaborated: “In a way what I’m doing now is saying goodbye to Edinburgh because I doubt I’ll ever come back to work there again. I’ll come back to see other shows, but I’m 83, I’ve got various conditions that make it hard to walk.”

“I’m often in pain, I’ve got arthritis and rheumatism, and a weak pelvic floor, bodily conditions that 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.”

This isn’t the first time Miriam has opened up about her health. Earlier this year, it was disclosed that she had been registered as disabled and that walking had become challenging due to spinal stenosis.

Miriam delved deeper into her health struggles with Closer, revealing that she now requires various forms of “kinds of assistance” and expressing regret over past decisions that could have improved her health.

Miriam Margolyes has been candid about her health problems and what the future may hold(Image: 2024 Getty Images)

Miriam 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.”

On ITV’s Loose Women, Miriam opened up further, stating: “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.”

She also expressed her concerns to Radio Times, admitting she’s “worried” that she “won’t have enough money for carers when I finally get paralysed, or whatever it is that’s going to happen to me”.