Dame Judi Dench shared a heartbreaking update about the extent of her degenerative eye condition, revealing that she can no longer recognise her family and friends.
The James Bond star, 90, was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012, and shared that her sight has deteriorated so much that she can no longer see her loved ones, read scripts, or watch television.
AMD is the number one cause of permanent sight loss in people over 50, and there is currently no treatment available.
Appearing in a new interview this week alongside her close friend and colleague, Sir Ian McKellen, Dench was asked why she hasn’t been seen on camera for several years.
The Oscar-winning actress candidly told ITV News: “It’s because I can’t see anymore.”
McKellen interjected: “But we can see you,” to which Dench replied: “Yes, and I can see your outline, and I know you so well, but I can’t recognise anybody now.
“People think, ‘Oh, get her, she’s got very grand,’ but it’s because I can’t see. I can’t see the television, I can’t see to read.”
McKellen laughed: “But don’t you go up to strangers and say to them, ‘Lovely to see you again,'” to which Dench exclaimed: “Yes, sometimes!”
Dench has not appeared on the big screen since making a cameo in the 2022 movie, Spirited, which starred Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds.
That same year, she also starred in the comedy drama, Allelujah, alongside Jennifer Saunders, David Bradley, and Derek Jacobi.
Last year, Dench confirmed that she has no plans for future acting projects.
Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2024, the actress said she had tried to work “as much as” she could, but had begun to find any role “difficult” to play.
She told journalists at the event: “I have so many friends who will teach me the script. But I have a photographic memory, so I have to know where it is on the page, and that’s quite a difficult thing.
“That’s what makes it really impossible so far. But I’ll find a way,” she added.
In January, the acclaimed actress revealed that she can no longer leave the house on her own and requires daily assistance to stop her from falling over or bumping into things.
She also heartbreakingly admitted that she is “nervous” about being on her own.
Speaking to presenter Trinny Woodall on her Fearless podcast, the Philomena star said: “Somebody will always be with me; I have to now because I can’t see and I will walk into something or fall over.
“I’m always nervous before going to something. I have no idea why…I’m not good at being on my own at all, nor would I be now.”
While Judi hasn’t had any big-screen roles in a while, she recently filmed a Christmas advert with her friend and Cranford co-star Imelda Staunton for ShelterBox, the disaster relief charity.