This Morning's Ben Shephard shares unexpected surprise from Dame Judi Dench

26 September 2023 , 11:34

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This Morning's Ben Shephard shares unexpected surprise from Dame Judi Dench

Ben Shephard has shared a story of his unexpected interaction with James Bond legend Dame Judi Dench.

The broadcaster, who has been appearing on This Morning alongside Holly Willoughby, was speaking to Graham Norton about the return of his BBC talk show. Ben thanked Graham for having Dame Judi on his sofa after she left him a surprise present in his dressing room.

Good Morning Britain, The Graham Norton Show and This Morning are all filmed at Television Centre, formerly known as BBC Media Village in White City, London with the stars often sharing the same dressing rooms. But while on Graham's show, Dame Judi, 88, used Ben's dressing room.

Ben Shephard thanked Graham for one interaction with Dame Judi Dench (ITV)

Recalling what unfolded the next morning, Ben told Holly and Graham: "That Judi Dench interview you did... The most amazing thing happened to me that next morning. You record it here and they gave Judi Dench my dressing room for GMB, right," as Graham exclaimed: "What did she leave?!"

"I didn't know and I went in the next morning and I went in the next morning for work," added Ben before continuing: "There was a signed photo from Judi on my desk, it said 'I've been in doing Graham Norton's show, I love Tipping Point Ben, just wanted to say thank you very much. Lots of love.' So, I've always wanted to say thank you for having Judi on.

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"One of the best things I've got in my memory box is a signed photo from Judi Dench and she wouldn't have been there had she not been on your show." Ben's co-star, Holly, added: "Aw, that is so nice," as Graham said: "Aw, what a nice woman, what a lovely thing to do." Ben described her, saying: "Class, she's just class"

Dame Judi left Ben a signed picture after using his dressing room (PA Wire/PA Images)

Dame Judi has appeared on The Graham Norton Show on numerous occasions, perhaps most famously in 2013 when she and Graham discussed the time they bumped into one another in a nightclub. However, Judi said she had never been to a nightclub as Graham fumed: "Er, Dame Judi Dench... You lie like a rug! Yes you have, I bumped into you in Heaven!"

Shocked by the revelation, Judi said: "Oh yes you did, absolutely true, they took us in through the back door!" But she later explained she couldn't remember why she was there. As she asked Graham for clarification, he commented: "You were there to see Cher, the singer Cher!" as Dame Judi looked on in amazement at the revelation.

Daniel Bird