Dame Judi Dench and her long term boyfriend David Mills thought about getting married during the pandemic, but have ultimately decided that it wasn’t for them. The couple, who have been in a relationship for over a decade, sensibly weighed up the pros and cons of tying the knot before making their decision.
David spoke about his relationship with the award-winning actress, 86, while attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show earlier this week.
As an ambassador for The Queen’s Green Canopy, Judi opened the prestigious gardening event on Monday.
Discussing marriage at the event, David, 78, said they both agreed that they were happy in their relationship and did not feel the need to get hitched.
He said: “We hadn’t really looked into it before, but, during lockdown, we had a serious discussion, looking at the pros and cons.
READ MORE: Charlie Dimmock had ‘no regrets’ over the Ground Force affair
“After a lot of thought, we decided against it and thought, ‘We are happy to stay as we are,'” David told Richard Eden for the Daily Mail.
The Oscar-winner’s partner went on to talk about living in the shadow of his famous partner.
The conservationist said: “It’s not easy living in Judi’s shadow, and it did take a bit of getting used to, but, because I’m not an actor and competing with her, it’s worked out OK.”
Judi was previously married to actor Michael Williams for 30 years.
Speaking about her 11-year relationship during an interview with Woman and Home in 2019, Judi said she did not like the term “partner”.
“I have a jolly nice friend now,” she told the publication.
“I don’t know what the word is because I don’t like the word partner. Partner is something to do with dancing. Partner — horrible word.
“Friend? No. Boyfriend? No. Chap? Will chap do?” she went on to say.
Also at yesterday’s event was Call the Midwife star Helen George.
The actress, who is best known for playing Trixie Franklin in the popular BBC period drama, is pregnant with her second child.
Helen, 37, dressed her baby bump in a pretty patterned maxi dress.
The mum-of-one already shares three-year-old daughter Wren with her husband and former co-star Jack Ashton.
Her baby is due in December.