Denise Nickerson as Violet (Picture: Paramount)

The family of Denise Nickerson, who played Violet Beauregarde in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, have set up a fundraiser after she was left in critical condition following a stroke.

Denise had a stroke in late June and now her son has set up a Facebook fundraiser to help his family spend more time with their mother while she remains in intensive care

‘If you have anything at all to donate to my sister and brother in law so they can ease their mind a bit and spend more time with their mother in the ICU. Anything to get off their plate is greatly appreciated,’ he wrote.



The fundraiser has so far raised nearly £$2500 for the family.


Denise Nickerson in 2014 (Picture: WireImage)

Denise’s daughter-in-law Jasmine also took to Facebook to update fans of the actress, who also starred in the late 1960s soap opera Dark Shadows.

She confirmed that the actress had had a pacemaker fitted and would be having a feeding tube attached on Wednesday.

Denise, 61, found fame as a young actress imn Dark Shadows, and at the age of 13 starred as gum-chewing Violet in the 1971 film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory; Violet’s iconic scene saw her blow up like a blueberry.

MORE: Donald Glover and Ryan Gosling among favourites to play Willy Wonka in prequel film