Willy Wonka child star Denise Nickerson in 'critical condition' after suffering stroke

She starred as Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 classic adaptation at the age of 13

Former child star Denise Nickerson, who starred in 1971 classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, is reportedly in critical condition after suffering a stroke.

Nickerson starred opposite Gene Wilder in the Roald Dahl adaptation as the gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde when she was 13.

TMZ reports that Nickerson suffered the stroke in June with a Facebook group set up to help raise money for the actor's health care fees.

Nickerson, 61, is said to be in intensive care after undergoing a medical procedure earlier on this week which reportedly saw a pacemaker put in.

Nickerson played Violet in the classic Road Dahl adaptation

As well as Willy Wonka, Nickerson was a regular star of TV shows Electric Company and Dark Shadows.

She quit acting in 1978 at the age of 21.

Nickerson's Willy Wonka co-child stars included Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee) and Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop).