Dame Judi Dench made headlines this week as the 91-year-old actress said she is no longer able to work as an actor because of her eye condition.
Dame Judi, who was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012, told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “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. I go up to lots of the wrong people and give them a hug and say, 'oh sorry, didn’t realise'."
© GettyJudi heartbreakingly added: "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 her worsening condition, Judi is known and loved for her illustrious and long-standing acting career, including her roles in films such as James Bond, Notes on a Scandal, Philomena and Shakespeare in Love, as well as her extensive career on-stage with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.
Away from the cameras, her partner David Mills, is her pillar of stength, but who is David, keep scrolling to find out...
Who is Judi Dench's partner, David Mills?
Since 2010, Judi has been in a relationship with British conservationist David Mills.
© GettyDavid, who is almost ten years Judi's junior, began his career as a dairy farmer with an award-winning Venn herd of pedigree Jersey cows. In 1994, he sold his herd and decided to specialise in British wildlife. Three years later, he founded the British Wildlife Centre, which is home to an array of wildlife and holds the title of the UK's biggest red squirrel breeder.
In 2016, David was awarded an MBE for his services to wildlife conservation.
David and Judi first crossed paths when he invited her to his wildlife centre to open a squirrel enclosure in 2010.
Why Judi Dench and David Mills won't marry
Even after more than 25 years together, the couple aren't planning on walking down the aisle anytime soon.
© Getty"We talked about [marriage] but I think we are far better off as we are as we have got two separate houses. And we are either in one or the other and we are four miles apart," David told Good Housekeeping Magazine.
Judi added: "He is not going to propose. No, no, no, no, no. Let's just pull ourselves together and be our age!"
The actress also said that she prefers to refer to her other half as 'chap' instead of 'partner'.
© Karwai Tang, Getty"I don't know what the word is because I don't like the word 'partner,'" she said. "Partner is something to do with dancing. Partner - horrible word. Friend? No. Boyfriend? No. Chap? Will chap do?"
Judi Dench's late husband
Long before her relationship with David, Judi was married to fellow actor Michael Williams. The couple tied the knot in 1971 and welcomed their daughter, Tara Cressida Frances 'Flinty' Williams.
They were together for 30 years before Michael died of lung cancer in 2001.
© GettyDuring an appearance on David Tennant's podcast in 2020, Judi spoke candidly about her grief after losing her husband.
When asked how she learned to cope without him, Judi said: "I don't know. I don't know. Perhaps I've never done that, quite. Although I have met David, who runs the British Wildlife Centre. And he's about four miles away, and that's just lovely because we laugh about the same things. But I suspect I shall never ever get over Mikey."
