Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench has revealed that her worsening eyesight and increasing memory problems are making everyday tasks a struggle, despite still being able to recall vast amounts of Shakespeare.
The 91-year-old thespian admitted to feeling uncertain about her schedule, saying she "can't remember what I'm doing tomorrow" - although it was later confirmed by her assistants that this is an occasional occurrence. Her age-related macular degeneration has left her struggling to see faces even when they're close by.
"It's a crusher," Dench said wistfully, lamenting the loss of her ability to watch television. "I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind," but she can still hear the questions echoing in her mind.
Dench is set to front a new documentary about her love affair with Shakespeare and will be interviewed by Kenneth Branagh on another programme later this year, a testament to her enduring passion for the Bard's works. Despite struggling with her sight, Dench remains committed to her craft, crediting the condition that has forced her into semi-retirement as an opportunity to adapt.
Her diagnosis was first revealed in 2012, and since then she's credited it with helping her to focus on other aspects of her life. "It's difficult if I have any length of a part," she acknowledged, explaining that she relies on friends to teach her scripts.
Despite this, Dench still appears frequently at public events, including charity functions like the one she attended alongside Ian McKellen for the Royal Shakespeare Company last month. Her next project will be a live sculpture in aid of lymphoedema research - an experience she'll have to rely on others' descriptions of when it's complete.
As her 91st birthday approaches, Dench remains a towering figure in the world of theatre and screen, with an enduring legacy that continues to inspire new generations.
The 91-year-old thespian admitted to feeling uncertain about her schedule, saying she "can't remember what I'm doing tomorrow" - although it was later confirmed by her assistants that this is an occasional occurrence. Her age-related macular degeneration has left her struggling to see faces even when they're close by.
"It's a crusher," Dench said wistfully, lamenting the loss of her ability to watch television. "I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind," but she can still hear the questions echoing in her mind.
Dench is set to front a new documentary about her love affair with Shakespeare and will be interviewed by Kenneth Branagh on another programme later this year, a testament to her enduring passion for the Bard's works. Despite struggling with her sight, Dench remains committed to her craft, crediting the condition that has forced her into semi-retirement as an opportunity to adapt.
Her diagnosis was first revealed in 2012, and since then she's credited it with helping her to focus on other aspects of her life. "It's difficult if I have any length of a part," she acknowledged, explaining that she relies on friends to teach her scripts.
Despite this, Dench still appears frequently at public events, including charity functions like the one she attended alongside Ian McKellen for the Royal Shakespeare Company last month. Her next project will be a live sculpture in aid of lymphoedema research - an experience she'll have to rely on others' descriptions of when it's complete.
As her 91st birthday approaches, Dench remains a towering figure in the world of theatre and screen, with an enduring legacy that continues to inspire new generations.
... I mean, I know she's still acting and stuff but she has bad eyesight 
... like how can you watch Mastermind if you can't see Clive Myrie? 
I feel like I'd get really confused too. I'm not sure what Macular Degeneration is but it sounds kinda scary... does anyone know? 
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Aging is crazy fam 
, Judi Dench's eyesight & memory issues got her feeling like she's losing herself 
. But you know what? She's still low-key Shakespeare superfan 
! Still quoting Bard lines even with wobbly peepers 
. That's some next-level adaptability right there 
. Can't wait for her new docu & live sculpture gig 
. She's still got it 
, even if we can't see it with our peepers 
!
According to her interview, she's been dealing with age-related macular degeneration for years... let's see some numbers on that: 
2012 - diagnosis revealed, and now she's a documentary star! 
Did you know? 
She's still got the Shakespeare magic! 
The Bard lives on through her works. 
That's where the stats get juicy! At 91, Dench credits her condition for helping her focus on other aspects of life. 
Let's break it down: 
Focus = 90% (post-diagnosis), and now she relies on friends to teach her scripts - that's like a 95% success rate! 
It seems adaptability is key to this legendary thespian's longevity.
