Sight loss has ended Dame Judi Dench’s ability to perform, with the 91-year-old actor revealing she can no longer take to the stage or screen.
Dame Judi, who was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012, shared the update during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday (October 22).
She said: "I can’t be on stage. I can’t do a play any more. I can’t do a film any more. I can’t read any more."
The condition causes progressive sight loss and Dame Judi has spoken about the challenges the condition has created in her professional and personal life.
She told BBC presenter Emma Barnett: "I go up to lots of the wrong people and give them an almost hug and say: 'Oh sorry, didn’t realise', before adding that she couldn't see the Today programme host's face at all.
The Guardian has reported that Dame Judi first revealed her diagnosis in 2012 and has continued working for as long as possible.
In 2014, she said that reading had become difficult, but she remained determined to keep performing.
By 2023, she said she could no longer see on film sets and relied on friends to help her learn lines by repetition.
Last year, she told Trinny Woodall on her Fearless podcast that said she could no longer go out alone due to fears of falling or walking into objects.
She also spoke of her sadness at not being able to see the bluebells.
She said: "They said this summer was absolutely sensational with bluebells; I couldn’t see one.
"But I know what my trees look like, and part of it is in my memory and part of it is about hopefully what I can make out."
Despite the challenges, Dame Judi remains passionate about Shakespeare’s poetry, she told The Today programme.
She said: "I am besotted by the sonnets, I just love them.
"It’s the rhythm of it.
"It’s the rhythm of your heart.
"It’s the way he’s summed up so simply the way that any of us feel about, well, anything."
Dame Judi was speaking ahead of the publication of her memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, co-written with theatre director Brendan O’Hea.
Her career spans more than 70 years and includes an Oscar-winning performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love, as well as eight appearances as M in the James Bond franchise.