Dame Judi Dench, 90, despairs that she is now so blind that she can’t watch a stage play or television programme – including The Celebrity Traitors!

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Dame Judi Dench is widely considered the best actress in Britain today, both on stage and in film, but she’s sadly lost the ability to enjoy watching other performers.

The 90-year-old, two-time Oscar winner is losing their sight due to macular degeneration and expressed feeling hopeless, saying, ‘I can’t see any more.’

Dame Judi Dench admitted she struggles to see when attending the theatre. She shared this while speaking at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, where she serves as a patron.

Despite everything, she managed to follow along with the playful and mischievous behavior of her friend and co-star, Celia Imrie, during their time on The Celebrity Traitors.

‘Somebody told me what was happening,’ Dame Judi says. ‘I want to hear the dirt that went on.’

The well-known actress is urging the government to provide quicker dementia diagnoses through the National Health Service.

Dame Judi Dench is supporting a new Alzheimer’s Research UK campaign and petition that aims to speed up diagnoses for people who may have the condition.

Nearly one million people in the UK have dementia, but around a third of them haven’t been officially diagnosed.

Alzheimer’s Research UK reports that people in certain areas of England may wait as long as a year to receive a diagnosis after being referred for assessment. This wait is even longer for those living in the most disadvantaged communities.

Dame Judi explained that dementia isn’t just about losing memories; it can also erase a person’s sense of self, their relationships with others, and their hopes for the future.

It’s incredibly painful to watch someone you care about decline in health, especially when there’s no clear understanding of what’s happening. No one deserves to face that uncertainty without explanations.

Across the UK, a lot of people are experiencing significant delays in getting a dementia diagnosis, and sadly, some never get diagnosed.

This results in a loss of crucial assistance, the ability to prepare for the future, chances to participate in studies, and valuable time overall.

While a diagnosis doesn’t solve all problems, it can provide much-needed understanding and a sense of control when life feels chaotic. It also helps families cherish the time they have together.

That’s why I’ve added my name to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s petition, and I’m encouraging everyone else to join me.

By working together, we can urge our government to improve the way dementia is diagnosed, ensuring everyone gets the support they need.

According to Hilary Evans-Newton, head of Alzheimer’s Research UK, people with dementia deserve to understand what’s causing their condition and receive a timely diagnosis so they can benefit from treatments that ease their symptoms.

As someone who focuses on well-being, I see far too many people facing frustrating delays in getting a diagnosis. This isn’t just inconvenient – it creates unnecessary worry and adds a huge amount of stress to what’s already a difficult time. It’s really impacting people’s lives, and we need to address it.

We’re so thankful to Dame Judi for raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with dementia, and to everyone who has supported our petition so far.

With more people looking for support, it’s crucial that the NHS and government address the issues facing the system right away. No one should have to deal with dementia without help or feel like they’re going through it alone.

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2025-11-06 11:34