‘I can’t see, it’s bad’: Dame Judi Dench, 87, can’t read or write due to macular degeneration

Dame Judi Dench has revealed that she can’t read or write due to suffering from advanced macular degeneration. 

The actress, 87, who is known for her role in films including the Bond franchise, is set to talk candidly about her health battle to BBC‘s Louis Theroux, according to The Sun. 

The Academy Award winner refuses to give up and said she won’t be retiring anytime soon despite the condition – but admitted ‘it’s bad’.

‘I can’t see, it’s bad’: Dame Judi Dench revealed this week that she refuses to retire from her acting career despite not being able to read or write due to advanced macular degeneration

‘I don’t want to retire. I’m not doing much at the moment because I can’t see. It’s bad,’ Judi said, according to the publication. 

Judi said she’s determined to ‘teach’ herself a new way of learning. 

‘I have a photographic memory so a person saying to me, ”This is your line…” I can do that,’ she said. 

Candid: The actress, 87, is set to talk candidly about her health battle to BBC’s Louis Theroux, according to The Sun

Screen icon: The star is known for her role in films including the Bond franchise. Pictured in Skyfall with Daniel Craig

Judi revealed that while out for dinner recently with her partner David Mills, he had to cut up her food for her as she couldn’t see it on her plate.

‘He cut it up and handed something to me on a fork and that’s the way I ate it,’ she explained. 

According to the NHS, ‘age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision. It usually first affects people in their 50s and 60s’.

Refusing to quit: Judi said she’s determined to ‘teach’ herself a new way of learning

Hollywood star: Judi is pictured in 1965. She said this week that she refuses to retire

It comes after Judi revealed in January that she suffered a ‘frightful fall’ at her Surrey home and was stuck on the floor for 30 minutes.

The legendary actress, 87, told how she tripped over her carpet and was unable to get herself up, telling how she was forced to turn to her parrot for help as no one else was around.

Detailing the incident to Saga magazine, Judi admitted that maintaining her independence as she gets older has become ‘very difficult’.

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Fall: It comes after Judi revealed in January that she suffered a ‘frightful fall’ at her Surrey home and was stuck on the floor for 30 minutes

Recalling the accident, she explained: ‘I had a frightful fall not long ago. I tripped over the carpet, and there was nobody in the house and I was lying on the ground unable to get up for half an hour.’ 

She added: ‘I have a wonderful parrot who kept saying, “What are you doing? What are you doing?” This is when you need a very convenient parrot who would phone somebody – but she didn’t.’ 

Luckily, the James Bond star recovered quickly and told how ‘I just got up’ after half an hour.

Judi lives four miles away from boyfriend David Mills, 77, while her daughter Finty Williams and grandson Sam are located nearby.