The actor Judi Dench has spoken about her worsening eyesight and increasing memory problems, saying she struggles to recall immediate appointments – but is still able to remember reams of Shakespeare.

“I can’t remember what I’m doing tomorrow, I swear to you,” she told the Radio Times; her assistants then confirmed that she does sometimes require such help.

Dench added that her age-related macular degeneration now means that, even up close, faces are “in a fog”.

“It’s a crusher,” she added, saying that she can no longer watch television. “I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind,” she said, “but I can hear the questions.”

Dench, who turns 91 on Tuesday, is fronting a new documentary about her relationship with the works of Shakespeare, and will be seen being interviewed by Kenneth

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