Harry Potter star Imelda Staunton was grilled by a 12in puppet in a campaign to help raise �1million for a Newham hospice.

The interview covers her thoughts on Harry Potter, life as a movie legend and Richard House hospice. It is part of the East London based hospice’s Harry’s Million campaign, which is looking to raise �1m for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses over three years.

Central to the campaign is a cheeky puppet called Harry – based on one of the young adults at Richard House. The puppet was created by the children of Richard House with the help of Clapham-based Absolutely Cuckoo, the people behind the iconic CBeebies children’s programme Waybuloo.

Imelda Staunton is the latest celebrity to fall for Harry – the charmingly cheeky puppet. The real Harry has received care from Richard House for the past nine years and is now employed one day a week by the hospice.

During the interview, Imelda Staunton, famous for her role as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter, explained why she feels Richard House is so special and spills the beans on her love for all things Harry!

She said: “I think that, apart from the boys and girls that are there, the staff are absolutely extraordinary, and they want to have fun. That’s what they like to do most of the time, and that’s what I think makes them very, very special.”

Harry said: “Imelda has been a top patron for Richard House and interviewing her was real fun, and well she loves me! And what’s there not to love!”

Celebrities including EastEnders’s star Barbara Windsor and The Lovely Debbie McGee are supporting the campaign, as well as the creators of Children’s hit show Waybuloo and some of the leading names in social media.