Judi Dench, 91, reveals heartbreaking reason she can’t act anymore

Judi Dench can’t act anymore due to her deteriorating eyesight.

The 91-year-old explained on BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program Thursday that she “can’t be on stage” and “can’t do a play any more.”

The Oscar winner added, “I can’t do a film any more. I can’t read any more.”

Noting that she could not see host Emma Barnett’s “face at all,” Dench revealed, “I go up to lots of the wrong people and give them an almost hug and say, ‘Oh sorry, didn’t realize.'”

The Golden Globe winner continued, “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.”

The “Shakespeare in Love” star’s heartbreaking health update comes more than a decade after her age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diagnosis in 2012.

In July 2023, the Tony winner reflected on her “ghastly” condition.

“It’s the most terrible shock to the system,” Dench told the Mirror’s Notebook magazine at the time. “It’s terrible to be so dependent on people.”

In a November 2025 ITV appearance, she described her inability to attend events alone because, otherwise, she’d “walk into something.”

Earlier this month, however, she blasted retirement rumors while railing against being called a “national treasure.”

“[While aging], you have to contend with people asking, ‘When are you going to retire?’ or, ‘Isn’t it about time you put your feet up?’ No, it bloody well isn’t,” Dench snapped in an Oct. 9 Times interview.

She shared her wish to “banish” the words “retire,” “vintage” and “old.”

Dench said, “I want to be like Newton Blick, who died in his dressing room after a performance. I want to be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they’re 100.”

The actress’ mom, Eleanora Olave Dench, also suffered from AMD.