Miriam Margolyes says she regrets ‘lack of discipline’ as she admits she now can’t walk

Miriam Margolyes has opened up about her struggles and admitted that she can no longer walk.

The beloved 82-year-old actor, who is perhaps best known for her work as Professor Sprout in Harry Potter or her late night talk show appearances, has been grappling with a painful medical condition.

Margolyes has spinal stenosis, which affects the lower back and can have a massive impact on mobility.

This condition arises from spinal pressure and causes discomfort in the legs.

In a new interview on the How to Fail podcast, Margolyes opened up about her health struggles.

“The one thing I have not conquered and should have conquered is my weight,” she said. “ I am a blubber mass. I am fat. And to be fat and 82 is truly pathetic.”

She expressed regret for some of her lifestyle choices, saying: "It's such a defeat. A cream bun, a chocolate, or a helping of chopped liver is more important than your health and aesthetic presentation?

"No, it isn't more important; it's just greed, lack of discipline, all the things I'm embarrassed by in myself.

"It is a major failure, and because of that, I've got spinal stenosis. I can't walk. I'm going to be in a wheelchair before I'm much older.

"I've limited my life because of my longing for fudge or chopped liver, cheesecake. All these absurdities. I shouldn't have been so greedy; I should have been stronger.

"I f*** everything up by greed, and I think it's shameful."

Margolyes then compared herself to Queen Camilla, adding: "I mean, look at Camilla, our Queen; she's a good-looking woman; she's got her body in trim.

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

"I like her as a person... She's splendid and she's taken care of herself. It wasn't joy; it was laziness; it was greed – and I regret it."

Despite her struggles, Margolyes has ultimately accepted who she is, saying: "I would like to be better looking; I would like to have a flatter tummy, and a stronger back and longer legs. But f**k it, here I am."

Earlier this year, the Babe star graced the cover of British Vogue for their Pride issue.

She discussed about her pride in being a lesbian, adding: "I think gay people are very lucky because we are not conventional; we are a group slightly apart. It gives us an edge. We're good artists, we're good musicians.

"And I like being gay. I wouldn't want to be straight for anything."

Margolyes also added that she 'never felt any shame about being gay' as she knew 'it wasn’t criminal because it was me'.