Inside Miriam Margolyes' life outside cameras including partner and relocating to Australia

Miriam Margolyes, a renowned actress since the 1960s, is best known for her role as Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter film series. The 83-year-old star, who is set to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside Lesley Joseph, also gained recognition for her portrayal of Mrs Mingott in The Age of Innocence, which earned her a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.

Over the years, Miriam has featured in numerous films including James and the Giant Peach, Mulan, Happy Feet, Flushed Away, and Early Man.

In addition to her film career, she is recognised for her appearances in Doctor Who and her role as Prudence Stanley in the drama series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. From 2018 until 2021, she starred in Call the Midwife as Sister Mildred.

Born in Oxford in May 1941, Miriam attended Oxford High School and Newnham College, Cambridge. It was during her college years that she began acting, participating in productions organised by Cambridge Footlights.

During this period, the Mirror reports she represented her college in the inaugural series of University Challenge. This led to her starting a career as a voice artist before securing her first acting roles and appearing in theatre productions.

Miriam Margolyes, who received an OBE in 2002 for her contributions to drama, has lived in Australia during various periods before taking Australian citizenship in 2013, still keeping her British nationality. She regularly splits her time between locations like London and Italy.

She's been in a longstanding relationship with Heather Sutherland, an Australian retired professor of Indonesian studies. The pair have been together since 1968 and prefer to keep their personal life private.

Although they don't cohabit, Miriam disclosed in 2023 that she now wishes to live with her partner as they're getting on in years and sense that time is precious.

Furthermore, Miriam is gearing up to appear on Channel 4's 'Celebrity Gogglebox' for the Stand Up to Cancer special, where she'll be joining actress and presenter Lesley Joseph. The renowned duo will team up on the couch to provide commentary on television programmes for the series.

Discussing her appearance on Gogglebox, Miriam said: "When they asked me to do Gogglebox for Stand Up to Cancer, I thought, 'Well, if I can watch television AND raise money for a wonderful cause, count me in! ' What could be better than that and doing it with my brilliant old friend of nearly 40 years - Lesley Joseph?

"She's wise and funny and knows everyone; a perfect partner in crime. Also, Stand Up to Cancer does vital work, and if we two old birds can help towards that - just show me the sofa, I'm all for it."