While managing her own declining health, actress Miriam Margolyes has entered the discussion on assisted dying.

The Harry Potter star - known for her role as herbology teacher 'Professor Sprout' in the beloved magical film series - shared with Weekend Magazine this week that she has had to consider medical aid in dying as she deals with a variety of health issues.

Diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which causes the spinal canal to narrow, and osteoarthritis, Margolyes, 84, relies on mobility aids such as walking sticks, walkers, and scooters.

In recent years, she has undergone knee replacement surgery and also had a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to a heart condition, making her undergo another surgery.

This minimally invasive heart procedure involved replacing Margolyes' aortic valve with one made from cow’s heart tissue.

The actress is currently battling several different conditions (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

What has Margolyes said about medical aid in dying?

Despite stating she's far from 'death's door' earlier this year (after telling The Times, as reported by the Express, she 'probably [had] five or six years, if not sooner' left to live), the actress recently expressed her views on the option of medically assisted dying.

Open to the idea if she lost her ability to live independently, Margolyes explained: "I don’t want to endure a slow decline filled with pain and embarrassment.

"If a stroke left me unable to speak, or I became doubly incontinent, or completely lost my mind, I would request to be put down."

She further explained: "That’s because I want to remain true to myself. I don’t want to be less than I am."

Margolyes reflected on her overall health during this week's candid interview: "I've let my body down. I haven’t cared for it properly.

"I have to walk with a walker now. I wish I had exercised. It's a dreadful waste of time, except it keeps you going.

"So, I’m foolish."

The actress admitted to considering medical aid in dying (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

Where does current UK law stand on assisted dying?

For those unfamiliar with the legislation on this controversial issue, assisted dying is currently illegal in the United Kingdom.

However, in June this year, Parliament voted to legalize it for individuals suffering from terminal illnesses.

The 'Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)' bill - currently under review by the House of Lords - applies to patients over 18 living in England and Wales.

It's crucial to note that this specific form of assisted suicide, officially called 'medical aid in dying' (MAID), differs significantly from euthanasia. In euthanasia, a doctor administers the life-ending drugs.

In MAID cases, the patient must administer the drugs themselves.

These individuals must also have their decision pre-approved by a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure, and a psychiatrist.

A bill on medical aid in dying was passed in the UK earlier this year (Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

What else has Miriam Margolyes said about her health?

In a conversation with Closer Magazine last year, Miriam discussed her increasing mobility issues.

"I can’t walk very well, and I’m registered disabled," she shared.

"I use various aids. I’ve got two sticks and a walker, which are quite bothersome, but I’ve just got a mobility scooter, which is actually quite fun."

The comedian also confessed that some of her lifestyle choices might have contributed to her health challenges in older age.

"I've limited my life because of my love for fudge or chopped liver, cheesecake," she joked to Vogue in 2023.

"All these absurdities. I shouldn’t have been so greedy. I should have been more disciplined."