Patrice Chaplin was pictured in articles claiming to have the last photos of Dame Maggie Smith

WHEN  Mail Online got hold of what they claimed was the last photograph ever taken of the late actor Dame Maggie Smith, they were thrilled to splash an “exclusive” on its celebrity tales website.

But the image rushed online last week caused a stir for other reasons, for the woman in the picture was not the Oscar-winning star, who died two weeks ago.

Instead, screenwriter Patrice Chaplin, who lives in Primrose Hill, was shocked to herself eating lunch in Lemonia in the pap photos.

She now says she is taking legal advice as she claims the error has defamed her and could jeopardise work she does with an addiction charity.

Ms Chaplin established Northern Bridge Productions in 1999, an arts charity that deals with addiction issues. Supporters include former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and Russian maestro pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy.

She said the article saying she was looking at a wine list and suggesting she was acting particularly boisterously for lunch time, is damaging due to her role.

The article added she spoke to a group of teenagers who were being rowdy – and slipped into the Harry Potter character played by Dame Maggie, Professor MacGonagall to do so. Ms Chaplin said her friend who was dining with her had merely spoken to a neighbouring table, and there were no ticking offs, and certainly no impression of the Hogwarts witch.

She said: “The story implied I was drinking. It implied I was unpleasant to a group of young people. It doesn’t look great to have your photograph in a national newspaper online so it’s gone all over the world, saying you were rude to teenagers and eagerly eyeing up a drinks menu when you are the head of a charity that deals directly with alcohol addiction in young people.”

Readers of Mail Online were told they were reading an exclusive – the article has since been removed

The article said the image was shot just seven days before Dame Maggie died aged 89 last month, adding: “Dame Maggie was on roaring form… The Downton Abbey star, fashionably dressed in a loose blue shirt and trousers, ordered fish and chips…. The titan of the acting world, famously described by friends as drinking like a fish and swearing like a trooper, was also spotted perusing the wine menu.”

Ms Chaplin said: “I am absolutely furious, and I wonder how Maggie’s family must feel. I want proper redress.”

Lemonia owner Tony Evangelou said no reporter had contacted him to confirm the story, adding: “We love Patrice. She is a valued friend who comes often. Maggie used to visit but she hasn’t come for many months as she was unwell.”

Ms Chaplin, who has worked in the film industry and is the daughter-in -law of Charlie Chaplin, has numerous mutual friends with the actor. She has been confused with Dame Maggie before in Primrose Hill.

“People have asked for a photograph or an autograph,” she said. “Occasionally, when I have explained I am not Maggie, they have not believed me and thought I was being a standoffish famous person.”

A spokesman for the Daily Mail declined to comment.

The article has since been removed and a correction put online, which said: ”We apologise for any confusion or distress caused.”