Miriam Margolyes reveals health battle in sad admission

Actress Miriam Margolyes has revealed a major health battle she has struggled with "all her life" during a candid scene on her BBC travelogue series, Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand. The star, best known for her work in Harry Potter and the BBC's Call the Midwife, is on her first road trip adventure around New Zealand's North Island - in preparation for her first film role in the country. As she immerses herself in local culture and takes in the beautiful sights, on Friday's episode (August 29) Miriam was seen visiting Butterbean Motivation.

A gym that provides free exercise classes to overweight locals. As Miriam approached the gym in her trusty travel van, she made a stark revelation about her own struggles with her weight.

She said: "Like everywhere else in the world NZ has problems and it has a problem that speaks very much to me, because I've had that problem all my life, and that is obesity.

"I've been fat all my life and my relationship with exercise is one of severe resentment."

But that didn't deter the 84-year-old star from joining in the on thre action as she took part in an exercise class and declared she "hadn't moved like in a long time."

Miriam's New Zealand journey sees her diving into Mori culture on the Whanganui River, cheering at her first ever rugby match, and even visiting a Catholic monastery to prepare for her role as a nun.

Along the way she explores Hobbiton, meets refugees in Auckland, witnesses the haka at a Mori school, and joins the Black Ferns rugby team at their training camp.

But some fans feel that the star comes across patronizing on the series, with viewers questioning her presenting style.

"I know it's part of her comedy act, but Miriam Margolyes sometimes comes across as a bit of a buffoon by asking condescending, critical or dim questions in this New Zealand documentary," blasted one fan.

Another shared: "Miriam Margolyes, who is not an impressive actress, nor person, but is famous through her role in movies for children, LEAVES the UK for Australia, disrespects "Land Rights," & gets highly-paid from our licence-fee for badly presenting from there?!"

Miriam's latest health revelation follows her admission that she had even considered making plans for assisted dying, admitting she felt she had "let her body down."

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Miriam said she regretted not looking after herself better in her younger years and is determined to make the most of her time with her partner, Heather Sutherland, at their home in Italy.

She explained: "I wish I'd done exercise. It's the most ghastly waste of time, except that it keeps you going. So, I'm foolish."

Miriam, who has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, added: "If a stroke meant I couldn't speak, or I was doubly incontinent, or I lost my mind completely, I would ask to be put down. That's because I want to be who I am. I don't want to be less than I can be."