Judi Dench Says She Can’t Attend Events Alone Anymore Due to Poor Eyesight: ‘I Will Walk Into Something or Fall Over’

Actress Judi Dench has disclosed that her worsening vision has progressed to a stage where she is unable to participate in public events or venture out independently.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I find solace in the company of others, especially during these challenging times. Being visually impaired, I’m not able to navigate alone without tripping or stumbling – so someone is always by my side to guide me safely. This was shared on the Fearless podcast, a platform where we openly discuss our journeys and experiences.

At the age of 90, Dench initially disclosed in 2012 that she was experiencing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Later on, she elaborated on how significantly this condition had influenced her professional life.

In an appearance on “The Graham Norton Show” in 2023, she admitted that due to her deteriorating eyesight, memorizing lines for roles had become a struggle for her. Dame Judi Dench used to boast about her exceptional memory for scripts, but now finds it something she can no longer depend on.

In 2023, Dame Judi Dench shared on The Graham Norton Show that her poor eyesight makes remembering lines difficult for her. Previously, she was known for having an excellent memory for scripts, but now she can’t rely on it.)

She mentioned that, due to her exceptional memory, she’s struggling now because she needs a device that not only helps her memorize her lines but also indicates their placement on the script. Previously, memorizing and recalling lines came naturally to her, as she could recite the entire ‘Twelfth Night’ play by heart.

2021 saw Dame Judi Dench revealing to the London-based charity, The Vision Foundation, that she enlists the aid of her nearest confidants in aiding her memory of fresh scripts. This is done by having them read the scripts aloud to her; the continual repetition of dialogues aids her in this process.

She explained earlier, “You discover a method for navigating and overcoming things that you find particularly challenging.” At present, she’s learning her lines differently because some friends of hers are repeating them to her repeatedly. So, she learns by repetition, hoping that people won’t notice too much if all the lines seem a bit haphazard!

Dame Judi Dench, with an impressive collection of accolades including an Oscar, six BAFTA Film Awards, two BAFTA TV Awards, a Tony Award, seven Oliviers, and two Golden Globes, graced the screen for the last time in the 2022 Christmas release “Spirited.

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2025-01-22 17:53