Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes has admitted that she is “probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before”.

But despite grappling with health and mobility challenges, she is desperate to continue on acting. The 83-year-old actress has announced her upcoming stage show about Charles Dickens which can be seen at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Speaking to The Telegraph, 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.”

The revered actress revealed her frustration with the physical restrictions that come with old age, describing them as “limiting and depressing”.

“I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough,” she said.

Miriam recently shared that she had heart surgery, following an unexpected hospital admission. She underwent a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), eliminating the need for an open-heart operation.

Speaking on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, Miriam astonishingly claimed: “I’ve got a cow’s heart now.” She clarified: “Well, not the whole heart. I’ve had an aortic valve replaced by a cow’s aortic valve.”

Miriam went on to describe the procedure, saying: “They made two little holes in your groin. One in each groin and then they shoved this thing through.”

“And I don’t know how they pull it up, but they sort of pull it up with stereos. And then when it comes to the point, when it’s in your heart, they pull a little string, and it goes pow! “.

“And lo and behold, your artery or your aortic valve is shoved unceremoniously to the side.”