It comes somewhat as a surprise to learn that Miriam Margolyes, 78, celebrated raconteur, has zero interest in writing an autobiography. Her explanation is characteristically candid. “It’s too much work!” she tells The Weekly, chuckling, adding that she has turned down several handsome offers from publishing houses. But that candour underlies the greater reason: “If you tell the truth, you’ll hurt someone. That’s why I’m not interested.”

Miriam’s notorious and delicious unpolished honesty comes out over several visits I make to her five-story home in Clapham Common in south London. And it’s this honesty that continues to win her new legions of fans and interesting new jobs. She’s just wrapped filming two documentaries that draw upon her own very personal perspectives and feelings – one about obesity, Miriam’s Big Fat Adventure, and the other about being “almost Australian”.

Sometimes, when we talk, she reclines in her study where she’s surrounded by pictures of her long, varied career. On the wall, there she is meeting Prince Charles while playing Madame Morrible in the musical Wicked. On her desk is a box labelled “Potter pics” containing dozens of photos of her as Professor Sprout, which she signs and sends out to avid Harry Potter fans. As you enter her house, a favourable review blown up to 2000-point font, decorates another wall. Here the Daily Mail proclaims her “one of the most respected comedy actresses in the land” with “innate wit, perfect timing and shining clarity” in her comic delivery.

Miriam’s star continues to rise in unexpected ways. Discussing her appearance on , she recently told the : “I’m a