Miriam Margolyes says her ‘morale is almost at rock bottom’ in lockdown

‘It’s scary, I’m scared. So I’m really not having a good time,’ actor tells Louis Theroux

(Rex Features)

Miriam Margolyes has spoken about the impact lockdown has had on her emotional state, saying she is “copying very badly” with the pandemic.

During the most recent episode of the Grounded with Louis Theroux podcast, the actor joined documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux to discuss several topics, including how she is faring in lockdown.

Margolyes told Theroux explained that she finds joy in company, which is why being isolated from other people is particularly difficult for her.

“My morale is almost at rock bottom,” the 79-year-old said. “I get my pleasures from contact with people, that is what I enjoy and when I’m cut off from people as I have to be at the moment, I don’t do very well.”

Margolyes said that while she is keeping herself busy – doing activities such as reading and watching television – she “wouldn’t say that I’m having a very good time”.

“It is unprecedented for all of us of course, and I’m disappointed in myself to be so wimpy about things,” she said.

The Harry Potter star added that she wishes she was someone who can “handle anything, but actually I can’t”.

“I thought... I was more substantial, but I’m not,” she said.

“I have to admit that I am an insubstantial thing. I am totally alone and I’m nearly 79 and I’m not good at housework.”

Margolyes added that she cannot cook, stating: “I talk and I read and that’s about all I can do.”

Speaking about the prospect of contracting Covid-19, the actor told Theroux that she finds the possibility “scary”.

“I’m frightened, I’m frightened of dying, less frightened than I used to be but I’m frightened of dying of this illness because it’s really unpleasant,” she said.

“It’s scary, I’m scared. So I’m really not having a good time.”

In April just over a month into lockdown, Margolyes opened up about how much she was missing her partner of 52 years while separated during lockdown.

Appearing on This Morning via video chat, the actor said that she and her partner, Heather Sutherland, will “really try to be together from now on because that’s what life’s about, loving someone”.

“I was lucky enough to find someone who was prepared to love me. I’m not that lovable, you know, I’m smelly and noisy and all that sort of thing,” she said.

“But she loves me and I want to be with her for the rest of my life. That’s all I want.”

You can contact the free 24/7 Samaritans helpline by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.