Dame Judi Dench’s partner and wildlife conservationist David Mills gives rare insight the couple’s ten year relationship and jokes: ‘She fell in love with my squirrels not me!’

Dame Judi Dench’s partner of ten years, David Mills, has provided a rare insight into the couple’s decade-long relationship.

The conservationist, 77, spoke about his Oscar-winning other half, 88, during her Countryfile special on Sunday.

David recalled meeting Judi after she visited his wildlife center in Surrey and joked ‘she fell in love with my squirrels, not me’.

Saying, “I saw her come in with her family, so I hurried out and made myself known,”

“She asked, ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ and I said yes, I was building a red squirrel enclosure and asked, “Would you please come and open it?”

Couple: The conservationist, 77, spoke about his Oscar-winning other half, 88, during her Countryfile special on Sunday (pictured together in 2022)

The founder of the British Wildlife Center added: ‘She said yes and the rest is history’.

When asked who she fell in love with first, David quipped, “My squirrels!”

Dame Judi was previously married for 30 years to actor Michael Williams, her co-star on the sitcom A Fine Romance.

He died of lung cancer in 2001, and the actress previously said she “didn’t think for a second” that she would find someone else.

But after meeting David, she flocked Good cleaning in 2015: ‘It’s wonderful to be in love. That state where you’re happy to see someone and it makes you laugh and you just like being with them.’

Dame Judi is the guest editor for Countryfile on Sunday evenings on the BBC, where she was joined by Charlotte Smith and Hamza Yassin from the Scottish Highlands.

During the show Judi called Scotland her “spiritual home” after filming in the Scottish countryside for her Countryfile special.

She explained, “Actually, I would say Scotland is my spiritual home simply because I just feel comfortable here.”

Funny story: David (L) recalled meeting Judi after she visited his wildlife center in Surrey and joked ‘she fell in love with my squirrels, not me’ (pictured with host Adam Henson)

Lovebirds: David and Judi pictured together at Royal Ascot in June

RIP: Dame Judi was previously married for 30 years to actor Michael Williams, her co-star on the sitcom A Fine Romance (pictured together in 1999)

Judi has a lifelong love of the country and has filmed some of her biggest movies in Scotland.

The 1997 smash hit Mrs Brown, for which the actress won a BAFTA for her performance as Queen Victoria, was filmed at Duns Castle in the Borders region and at the Ardverikie Estate in Badenoch.

Meanwhile, located in the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe served as the setting for some of the most famous scenes in her final appearance in the James Bond film franchise, in 2012’s Skyfall.

In January, Dame Judi delighted guests at an Aberdeenshire hotel when she joined forces with Texan singer Sharleen Spiteri for an impromptu New Year’s Eve performance.

Nature lover: Dame Judi is the guest editor for Countryfile on Sunday night on the BBC, where she was joined by Charlotte Smith and Hamza Yassin (pictured) from the Highlands of Scotland

The veteran actress, 88, and the Scottish singer, 55, duet a rendition of Waterloo by ABBA at The Fife Arms in Braemar.

The Hollywood star uses her episode of Countryfile to discuss her love of nature and her particular passion for trees.

Judi has talked about how many of the trees she planted for her deceased famous friends, saying, “I have a lot of famous people in my yard.”

The James Bond actress’ passion for trees started at a young age, when she remembered how she would feel if they were cut down.

She said, “As a child I would get irrationally upset when I saw long trucks with huge trees on them. I can’t explain that. I still don’t like seeing trees being felled.’