Smith 'will stagger through last Potter'

Dame Maggie Smith has said that she will "stagger" through filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows despite problems with her health.

The actress, who underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, told The Times that she may give up working in the theatre.

Smith said: "I'm not sure I could go back to theatre work, although film work is more tiring. I'm frightened to work in theatre now. I feel very uncertain. I haven't done it for a while. I'm not quite sure if it's like getting back on a horse or a bike.

"Not that I'd do either, I'd fall off. It's one of those things you ought to keep on doing and I haven't for a bit. I would love to be able to because I do love it, but I feel a great lack of confidence."

She added: "Being unwell and having withdrawn, I haven't been in London for so long, it's quite scary up here. There's a limit to what you can do.

"I'm not into that argument there aren't any parts for older women, though. Anyway, why should there be? If there's work I'll do it and if there isn't, I've still got to stagger through the last Potter."

Of the effects of her treatment before shooting Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Smith said: "I was hairless. I had no problem getting the wig on. I was like a boiled egg."