CHECKER Miriam Margoyles investigates the state – or rather the weight – of the nation

T SEEMS we’ve become a nation of humongous ar**s, sagging bellies and pendulous bosoms.” No, Miriam Margolyes is not one to mince her words. The 78-year-old is also one of a third of the UK’s population that is officially obese.

All of which makes her the perfect person to investigate why the nation is at its fattest, and what – if anything – should be done about it.

At just 4ft 11ins, the Harry Potter and Call The Midwife actress says she’s still managed to eat herself to 14st 10lbs.

“It’s difficult being fat,” she says. “It’s a hard, miserable fate.”

In fact, she says that if she could migrate her personality and face onto another body – ideally Claudia Winkleman’s – then she’d finally be happy.

In her trademark smock dress and trainers, she sets out to meet people with all different attitudes to their weight, including people facing serious health issues and those who refuse to change.

She starts at a health farm, where portions are restricted and more than five hours training starts at 9am.

She meets an anti-diet plus-size activist who has a doughnut tattooed on her tummy, and there’s a funny scene when Miriam joins a ‘fat and happy’ plus-size dance class, which sees her twerking with the best of them.

She also spends some time with her best friend, who wonders if Miriam would still be Miriam if she was slim.

“I think being fat makes me noisy,” says Miriam.

Frank, fearless, funny and fat, Miriam is a thoroughly entertaining guide as she explores this growing problem.