Judi Dench, 87, Admits 'frightful Fall' Left Her 'lying On The Ground' In ...

Judi Dench says she has 'admiration' for the royal family

Dame Judi Dench has spent the past 65 years lighting up the stage - and she's made it clear that she has no intention of losing her distinctive sparkle. The actress, who says the word "retirement" is forbidden in her home, also refused to let her fall suppress her spirit - even if it sent her tumbling to the ground.

• Nadia Sawalha, 57, causes a stir as Loose Women host goes topless
• Meat Loaf's retort to Prince Andrew: 'I don't give a s*** who you are!

I was lying on the ground unable to get up for half an hour

Dame Judi Dench

Judi had enjoyed performing energetic dance routines with the encouragement of her TikTok whiz grandson when he moved into her Surrey mansion during the lockdown.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

However when she took a terrifying fall recently, she didn't have him there to help her back up, as she was in the house alone.

"I tripped over the carpet and there was nobody in the house, and I was lying on the ground unable to get up for half an hour," she recalled to Saga Magazine of her "frightful" experience.

Unfortunately, her pet parrot also wasn't much help in a crisis.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

READ NOW: Monty Don bids farewell in "personal conclusion" to BBC series

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Judi Dench, who has a role in new film Belfast, refused to let a fall break her spirit (Image: GETTY)

Judi Dench, who has an admiration for British royalty and played the Queen, has met Prince Charles (Image: GETTY)

• Meat Loaf dead: 'Bat Out of Hell' singer dies aged 74

"[She] kept saying: 'What are you doing? What are you doing?'" Judi revealed.

"This is when you need a very convenient parrot who would phone somebody but she didn't.

"After half an hour I just got up."

Judi, who admits she has no panic buttons installed in the house in spite of her advancing age, reflected: "You want to be independent and it's very, very difficult."

Judi Dench triumphantly holds up an Oscar after winning for her portrayal of the Queen (Image: GETTY)

Judi Dench won an Oscar for her role in Shakespeare in Love as Queen Elizabeth (Image: GETTY)

Addressing her thoughts on ageing, she declared: "I don't recommend it!"

Determined to live every day as if it were her last, she has defiantly had the words 'carpe diem' tattooed across her wrist.

The actress made the bold move as part of a celebration for her 81st birthday six years earlier.

"It didn't hurt," she insisted.

DON'T MISS...

‘Will miss you’ Naga Munchetty bids farewell to BBC Breakfast co-star [UPDATE]

Stacey Solomon issues apology for 'anticlimax' in Joe Swash update [OPINION]

Heartbroken Adele breaks down as she's forced to cancel shows [BREAKING]

• Johannes Radebe 'in love' after Strictly John Whaite changed his life
• Stacey Solomon issues apology for 'anticlimax' in Joe Swash update

"Well, it depends on what your level of pain is - but it didn't hurt me!"

Meanwhile, Judi also refuses to be viewed as a national treasure, contemptuously declaring of the tag: "It's stuffy! It sounds like you're in a museum with the fossils."

She has proven that older age doesn't necessarily have to mean slowing down by winning her first Oscar at the age of 63.

The accolade followed a show-stopping performance in which she channelled Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love.

Celebrity news and gossip plus selected offers and competitions Subscribe Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

• Piers Morgan shut down by Queen with epic quip

Plus, Judi seems to have a trait in common with Her Majesty The Queen in real life - a tenacious desire to keep calm and carry on.

This was never more apparent than when she returned to the world of film after lockdown ended.

The cause was Belfast - a Sir Kenneth Brannagh film about the trials and tribulations of growing up in Northern Ireland during the dark days of The Troubles.

Judi, who plays the grandmother of 11-year-old Buddy, was delighted to be back on a film set finally, recalling: "It was a real release!... How wonderful seeing people again."

Read the full interview in Saga Magazine, available this weekend to buy.

Judi Dench BBC Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments Most Read Most Commented Mortifying moment Lewis Hamilton confronted by Richard Hammond at Chinese GP ITV's Doc Martin and BBC legend dies just days after milestone birthday Victoria Beckham's new dilemma as Brooklyn pushed over the edge Harry Hill admits he 'feared assassination' as he shares TV Burp 'paranoia' Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen says 'I hope I die in next 20 years' as he faces money issue Oscars on high alert as FBI issues Iran drone threat for Hollywood OPINION Holly Willoughby’s latest admission proves quitting ITV was worst mistake she ever made Actor Ashley Walters reveals 'most creative moments' happen late at night TV legend dies suddenly after short illness as tributes pour in Kaye Adams breaks silence on sudden BBC 'axe' Homes Under The Hammer star receives sad news in tragic death announcement MAFS star Mel Schilling diagnosed with terminal cancer in tragic announcement Downton Abbey and The Crown star tragically dies as heartbroken tributes pour in Ricky Gervais' partner announces heartbreaking cancer diagnosis OPINION Eric Idle's seven-word admission about John Cleese after Monty Python feud Strictly Come Dancing star pulls out of live tour days after show 'axe' OPINION Ant and Dec are lining up seven new shows – please give us a break and get off the TV Katie Price issues tragic Harvey death admission in heartbreaking health update Donald Trump loses it live on air as Fox News grinds to halt Louis Theroux names the 'worst person' he's ever met after three decades of documentaries

Daily Express uses notifications to keep you updated

Keep me updated No thanks