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.
This story is from the August 28, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 28, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mamma's milk bar WENDY'S HERBAL HELPER
When she had trouble breastfeeding, she found a solution that's got mums pumped
IVF egg-swap babies 'IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!'
In a bid for a deeper connection, the loving couple carried each other's baby and sometimes feed the other one's bub too!
Ahoy there, Verity! THE PIRATE OF GARNET STATION
The local legend's making a swashbuckling return to the stage
Take Two & add a farm! HOW DANIELLE FOUND HER BLISS
The Kiwi author's country crush is contagious and has led to some bestsellers
Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'
Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways
Bonnie's next chapter 'QUEEN CAMILLA MADE ME CONFESS!'
The bestselling author's next project is top secret... to everyone but Her Majesty
Davida and the Dames OUR MOTHER'S DAY MAGIC
It's a special celebration for Miranda Harcourt and her daughter - their beloved matriach Kate is back on her feet
NO GOING BACK
Harry's preserving his dignity after having to move out of home
Carole's a real queen! WILLIAM'S GO-TO IN A CRISIS
The heir and his mother-in-law have become firm friends as they care for Kate and the kids
It takes a village HEATHER'S MOTHERHOOD SECRETS
She may have lost herself a little, but the radio star's embracing life with Iggy