Maggie Smith - Dame Smith Meets Sick Young Fan

The veteran actress was touched to hear of the plight of nine-year-old Evan, who was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2010 and also suffers from a twisted cervical spine.

The youngster is inspired by Dame Maggie's Harry Potter character Professor Minerva MCGonagall and bosses at the Make-A-Wish Foundation recently arranged for the pair to meet over a traditional British afternoon tea at a hotel in Cambridge, England.

Dame Maggie brought chocolate and a baby cactus plant for Evan, and he was delighted to spend time with his hero.

His mother Sarah says, "The best thing about Evan's wish was how much genuine care and concern Maggie showed for all of us. She was empathetic and showed real interest in Evan, we had her attention 100 per cent. The wish took place exactly a year after Evan was told he was in remission, so it was an incredibly special celebration."