A week after Maggie Smith‘s death, best friend Dame Judi Dench is at a loss for words. When asked about Smith’s death at age 89, as well as the death of friend and collaborator Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Dench broke down into tears during a conversation on Saturday at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Dame Judi Dench choked up at the Cheltenham Literature Festival while discussing her late friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt

DAME Judi Dench teared up on stage when asked about her close friend Maggie Smith. The actress became visibly emotional at the Cheltenham Literature Festival while paying tribute to the late

Screen legend Dame Judi Dench held back tears after being asked about her great friend the late Maggie Smith. The actress was on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival today (Saturday October 5), when she was asked about her late friends Maggie and Barbara Leigh-Hunt.

Dame Judi Dench was moved to tears on Saturday after she was asked about her late friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt.