An acting legend recently got candid about her ongoing health condition that's forced her to step back from her beloved profession.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Indeed, Dame Judi Dench appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today program earlier today (Oct.22), opening up about her deteriorating eyesight. The 91-year-old Shakespeare in Love star revealed she has macular degeneration in her eyes back in 2012. The health conditon has robbed the acting icon of most of her eyesight.
"I can't be on stage. I can't do a play anymore. I can't do a film anymore. I can't read anymore," she told host Emma Barnett.
However, the Skyfall actress continues to push forward despite the health setback.
"So you've got to adjust to all that and make allowances for it. And just get on and don't think about it too much,' she explained.
That said, the acting legend's health condition has led to a few mishaps.
She admitted that she couldn't see Barnett's "face at all." Dench added that, "I go up to lots of the wrong people and give them an almost hug and say, 'Oh, sorry, didn't realize.'"
Fellow Actor Weighs in on Judi Dench's Continued Health Struggles: 'I Know It Gets You Down'
Fellow actor and friend Brendan O'Hea joined Dench for the interview. He marvelled at the veteran actress and her ability to move past being forced to leave acting behind.
"You're not letting it defeat you," O'Hea gushed. "I know it gets you down, but you don't allow it to defeat you."
However, the Cats actress admitted missing out on simple things did bring her down at times. Like seeing the color blue.
"They said this summer was absolutely sensational with bluebells; I couldn't see one," she shared. "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."
Meanwhile, fans showed their support for Dench in the comments section of the YouTube post of the show.
"An amazing actress and woman. Watching this from Cape Town, South Africa, I watch all her movies, especially the James Bond movies. She has lived a fantastic life; may God always be with you, Dame Judi Dench," one fan wrote.
"Dame Judi is a treasure and one of my favourite actresses. So sad about her eyesight, and you can see how much it affects her to talk about it. Glad to know her family is by her side every day," another fan added.
