Judi Dench ‘breaks down in tears’ when asked about death of friend Maggie Smith

> Appearing on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Dame Judi first appeared to be in a jovial mood, until fellow actor Brendan O’Hea, asked her about grief on Saturday.

> “I know I probably shouldn’t bring this up, I know the last week has been tricky for you because you lost your great friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt,” Mr O’Hea said.

> “I suppose because the energy that’s created by grief …,” Dame Judi began to say before cutting her answer short as tears started to fall.