Dame Judi Dench: 'I can't do a play, a film or read any more'
The Oscar winner said progressive sight loss has made it difficult to recognize faces and learn scripts, and she now relies on audio tools.
- On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Dame Judi Dench told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she can no longer perform on stage, act in films, or read due to age-related macular degeneration .
- Diagnosed with AMD in 2012, Dench has experienced progressive vision loss that makes recognizing faces and navigating film sets increasingly difficult, effectively ending her seven-decade career.
- To adapt, Dench relies on radio and £300 RayBan Meta glasses that convert text to speech, while maintaining a pragmatic outlook, replying, "There's nothing to say for it at all" when asked about ageing.
- Her legacy includes winning an Academy Award for 1998's Shakespeare in Love and playing M in seven James Bond films; she is currently promoting her memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?.
- In February 2027, London's Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End will be renamed the Judi Dench Theatre, honouring her seven-decade contribution to theatre and film.
59 Articles
59 Articles
Judi Dench reveals she ‘can’t do another film’ amid health concerns
Dame Judi Dench has left fans devastated after revealing that she will no longer be acting either on stage or screen due to a health condition. The legendary actress announced today that an eye condition which she was diagnosed with in 2012 has gotten worse. She explained that due to the condition, she finds it […]
Judi Dench at the Oscar ceremony in 2022 Mike Blake/Reuters The British actress Judi Dench said that her vision deteriorated to the point that she could no longer perform on stage or in movies. Dench, 91 years old, has been suffering from macular degeneration for over a decade. In 2025, the actress came to comment that the disease prevented her from recognizing friends. "I can no longer go on stage, I can no longer make plays, I can no longer ma…
British actress Judi Dench has revealed that her progressive vision loss has left her unable to act in theatre or film. The 91-year-old Oscar winner, one of the most respected figures in British cinema and theatre, told BBC Radio 4 that she can no longer read. Dench lives with age-related macular degeneration, which affects central vision. She announced her diagnosis in 2012, but her condition has gradually worsened over the years. As early as 2…
Dame Judi Dench Briefly Responds to James Bond Casting Question Amid Heartbreaking Health Update
Judi Dench reportedly answered 'No' when asked about the next James Bond, as the 91-year-old actor discussed how worsening age-related macular degeneration has affected her career.
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