Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen relive the beginnings of their friendship

Dame Judi Dench interviews one of her most famous friends, Sir Ian McKellen in an eye-opening new episode of her series Tea with Judi Dench. The acclaimed actress, 90, invited Sir Ian into her home as the long-time friends discussed their start in the acting industry and some of their most iconic roles from stage and screen over a pot of tea. Sir Ian is seen praising Dame Judi, who effectively retired from acting due to severe vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, for helping him deal with painful stage fright. The brand-new episode of Tea with Judi Dench featuring Sir Ian McKellen airs tonight (31 August), at 9pm on Sky Arts.

Raccontata daindependent.co.uk