Entertainment
Judi Dench says sight loss ends her stage and film career
October 22, 2026 at 01:58 PM
Coverage
4 reports · over 8 hours
TGThe Guardian
Judi Dench says sight loss means she can no longer perform but she is still ‘besotted by’ Shakespeare’s sonnets
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
'I can't do a play, a film or read any more', says Dame Judi Dench
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Dame Judi Dench: 'I can't be on stage, I can't do a film, I can't read anymore'
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Dame Judi Dench: I can't do a play, do a film, or read anymore
(opens the publisher’s site)Judi Dench, 91, has said age-related macular degeneration means she can no longer perform on stage, in films, or read.
- Dench said she can no longer recognise faces and sometimes approaches the wrong people to hug them.
- She was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012 and has gradually lost her sight since.
- Dench said she could not see bluebells this summer but remains "besotted by" Shakespeare's sonnets.
- Her memoir "Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?", written with Brendan O'Hea, publishes at the end of October.