Dame Judi Dench gears up for possible final performance after heartbreaking health update

Days after sadly announcing deteriorating eyesight means she can no longer "recognise anybody", Dame Judi Dench is courageously preparing for what could prove her final stage performance.

The 90-year-old actress, who has contended with macular degeneration in recent years, has agreed to join long-time pal Gyles Brandreth, for an afternoon show in London’s West End on Sunday, December 14. During a 90-minute appearance at the Sondheim Theatre, Dame Judi will touchingly recall her life and times. Insiders concede it could be the legendary star’s "swansong" treading the boards due to her worsening condition.

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Two years since starring as our current monarch in TV series The Crown, Dominic West now hopes to play the King’s 17th century namesake Charles II.

The Old Etonian actor confirms he's presently waiting for planned film Monstrous Beauty to get the green light. Playing Charles Stuart will prove less problematic than his previous royal role: previously on friendly terms with the present King Charles, West openly frets his sometimes unflattering portrayal in The Crown (during Charles’s marriage to Diana) has cost him an honour. 

Having himself ruefully pointed out that Crown co-star Sir Jonathan Pryce “had already been knighted” prior to accepting the part of Prince Philip, poor Dominic’s yet to even receive an MBE...

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Highlighting late hell-raiser father Richard Harris’s unconventional parenting, fellow actor Jared Harris recalls he and his two brothers being berated by the star’s second American wife Ann Turkel, after breaking an ornament while playing football in the living room. 

Jared then chuckles: “Dad said, ‘If you can break the other one of those with a header, I'll give you $200."'

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Though the sight of British celebrities flogging children’s books presently proves all too commonplace, comedian David Walliams revels in top dog status. 

When reminded he and Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas both have children's books out this Christmas, Walliams cattily quips: “We support each other a lot...he's a lot less successful than me, so it's fine.”

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Mourning the death of ex-husband  Sir Tom Stoppard, broadcaster Dr Miriam Stoppard contended with the playwright leaving her for Felicity Kendal back in 1992. No stranger to a nip and tuck, glamorous Miriam, who remained friendly with Sir Tom, was recently at pains to clarify: “I'd had the facelift done long before we parted...so he parted with a good-looking woman!”

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While busy promoting the hit stage version of Fawlty Towers, currently touring the UK, comedy legend John Cleese has taken against the actor succeeding him in the role of Basil. 

Reflecting on Danny Bayne’s portrayal, Cleese, playfully complains: “I have a nasty feeling he's a bit funnier than I was.”