Miriam Margolyes is 'failing physically' as she shares health news and predicts death date

Miriam Margolyes, 83, opened up about her health struggles (Image: ITV)

Miriam Margolyes has spoken about when she started "failing physically" and predicted when she believes she’s going to die. The outspoken 83-year-old actress and author, who is joining Gogglebox for a Stand Up to Cancer Special, has opened up about her health struggles, including her diagnosis with spinal stenosis—a condition that puts pressure on the spinal cord.

In a recent interview, Miriam recalled the moment she noticed her physical decline and the requests she made of directors. "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,'" she said.

"I didn’t want people to see that because I was embarrassed to see myself looking so pathetic."

However, Miriam explained that in the years since her diagnosis, she has met countless people who thanked her for her openness.

"I’ve met loads of people who have said I gave them the courage to do things that they never thought they could. So I’m very pleased about that," she shared.

Miriam has predicted when she believes she’s going to die (Image: facebook)

In an interview with The Telegraph, Miriam made a candid prediction about her life expectancy. "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," she said.

She also reflected on the limitations ageing has placed on her ability to perform. "I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough," she added, calling the constraints of old age "limiting and depressing."

Miriam also revealed that she had undergone heart surgery, specifically a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

On the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, she explained: "I’ve got a cow’s heart now. Well, not the whole heart. I’ve had an aortic valve replaced by a cow’s aortic valve."

She expressed amazement at the procedure, noting that "they made two little holes in your groin" using a keyhole technique.

"I don’t know how common it is," she admitted. "I’d never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open-heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive."

In the same podcast episode, Miriam spoke about her mobility challenges and the possibility of needing a wheelchair soon. "I have a bad back. I’m probably going to be in a wheelchair soon. And you know, you have to come to terms with what life throws at you," she said.

When Jessie asked if she had been preparing for this change, Miriam replied: "Not really preparing for it. I’ve just sort of accepted that it’s probably going to happen."