She doesn't like the word partner, so she describes him as her "chap". Dame Judi Dench has been in a relationship with David Mills for the past 13 years and for most of that time has been adamant that marriage is not an option.
"No, no, no, no, no!" the acclaimed actress said when asked about the prospect of a wedding a couple of years ago. "Let's just pull ourselves together and be our age!"
But lately there have been whispers that the couple who live in separate homes 6km apart - might just be considering saying "I do".
A friend of the couple says Judi, 88, has been talking about marriage because she's so happy with the farmer-turned-conservationist.
"He adores her and wants to look after her. She's very lucky to have him." David, 77, has already been stepping up to help Judi in recent years, as she has advanced macular degeneration, which means her eyesight has deteriorated to the point where she can no longer see very well at all. In a recent interview, the Oscar winner admitted, "I can't see on a film set anymore and I can't see to read. So I can't see much. But you know, you just deal with it. Get on."
Her vision problems have affected her acting career and restrict what roles she can take on, but she's refusing to let them stop her from doing the job she loves. She has to accept help from others, including David and her actress daughter Finty Williams, 50, who lives with her, to read her scripts to her so she can memorise lines that way.
While she's 'grateful for the assistance, she doesn't like having to rely on others. "It's terrible to be so dependent on people. Ghastly. It's the most terrible shock to the system." She recently revealed that on a night out, when she was unable to see the food on her plate, David helped out so she could enjoy the meal. "He cut it up and handed something to me on a fork and that's the way I ate it," tells Judi.
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の August 28, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の August 28, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills