Dame Judi Dench became emotional as she revealed her late husband Michael Williams sent her a rose every Friday throughout their nearly 30-year marriage.
Dame Judi Dench has revealed her late husband Michael Williams sent her a rose every Friday throughout their marriage.
The Oscar-winning actress, who was married to fellow actor Michael for almost 30 years before his death from lung cancer in 2001, became emotional as she recalled the romantic tradition during an appearance on British TV series The Graham Norton Show.
Speaking about Michael, who features in her new memoir Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?, Judi said: “He sent me a rose every Friday of our marriage and we were married for thirty years less 10 days.”
The couple tied the knot in 1971 and welcomed their daughter Finty the following year.
As well as sharing their lives together, Judi and Michael also worked alongside one another, appearing in the television sitcom A Fine Romance and the 1999 film Tea with Mussolini.
The 91-year-old actress has previously spoken about the heartbreak of losing her husband and how much she continues to miss him more than two decades later.
Judi has now opened up about their life together in her memoir, which she wrote with her close friend, actor and director Brendan O’Hea.
However, the Shakespeare in Love star admitted she had little idea that their conversations were being turned into a book.
She said: “He wrote it by stealth – we are such great friends that he sort of crept up on me. I have no idea how long it took to write. We would just chat and he would write.”
Judi also reflected on her early career, including the unexpected opportunity to play Sally Bowles in the West End production of Cabaret.
The veteran actress admitted she was surprised to land the role after giving what she considered an unimpressive audition for director Hal Prince.
She recalled: “I thought it was quite surprising to be in a musical. I was asked to go and see the director Hal Prince and I think I sang something rather feeble like Happy Birthday at the audition. He took a big risk on me.”
Judi was joined on Graham’s sofa by Alan Cumming, Nicola Coughlan and Severance actor Tramell Tillman, while James Blunt performed his single Circles.
The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One on Friday (06.11.26) at 10.40pm and is also available on BBC iPlayer.
Dame Judi Dench reveals late husband sent her a rose every Friday of their marriage
