Miriam Margolyes wants to move in with her partner after 55 years together because they "haven't got long left"

The couple own a house together in Italy and have decided they finally want to take the plunge and live together but Miriam fears Britain's exit from the European Union has ruined their plans.

She told SAGA magazine: "We want to live together now because we haven't got long left.

"She is 81 and am 83, We don't know yet how we are going to do that.

"Brexit ruined our life when it comes to living in Italy, so it really is a problem."

She added of her partner: "My life is made whole by the fact that she is in it. Heather is magnificent, highly educated, an academic and very private."

Miriam and Heather own a house in Tuscany and the actress previously revealed her plan was to retire to the Italian countryside.

During an episode of the 'Loose Ends' podcast for BBC Radio 4, Miriam told hosts Clive Anderson and George Egg: "I love travelling and meeting people and Italy is one of the countries of my heart, I want to retire there with Heather.

"I've got a home in Clapham and I've had that since '73. I feel at home wherever I am and I always bought houses because I had the money to, because I didn't have children. If you have children, you're poor. You're rich in happiness I suppose!"

The actress also previously revealed the secret to the couple's long-running relationship was the fact that they lived apart even after they entered into a civil partnership together.

She told British Vogue magazine: "We were able to lead our lives without diminishing them. I didn't want her to have to give up anything. And I didn't want to give up anything. I wanted my cake and I wanted to eat it too. And so far, it's worked."