Judi Dench, 89, breaks down in tears when asked about her late friend Maggie Smith at Cheltenham Literature festival – one month after losing her beloved stage companion Barbara Leigh-Hunt

Dame Judi Dench choked up on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival today after being asked about her late friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt.

Dench, who shared personal anecdotes during her presentation at the literature festival, became emotional after interviewer Brendan O’Hea brought up her beloved friends who had both passed away in the past month.

“I know I probably shouldn’t bring this up, I know this past week has been difficult for you because you lost your good friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt,” he asked.

He also asked her what she meant when she once compared grief to gasoline when talking about her husband, Michael Williams, who died of lung cancer in 2001.

“I guess the energy created by sadness…” she said, before bursting into tears.

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith ‘Acting for Others’ Arrive, Presidential Awards, London, UK – May 12, 2017

Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith at the Royal Film Performance of Royal Film Performance ‘Ladies in Lavender’ at Odeon Leicester Square

It comes as her close friend, actress Dame Maggie Smith, died last week aged 89.

The beloved star, who was known for her roles in the Harry Potter films and her incredible 70-year acting career, had been friends with Dench since the 1950s.

Their close friendship began when they were both young actresses after meeting backstage at the Old Vic theater in London.

At a tribute event for Dench in 2002, Smith said: ‘What I remember most about that time was the beginning of a friendship, and I remember laughing more than anything in the world.

‘Judi is the most wonderful friend. She has been extremely supportive and extremely loyal.”

The pair had appeared together on stage and screen several times, including the 1985 film A room with a view and the 2011 comedy The best exotic marigold hotel.

Cher with Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in 1999

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith have appeared together on stage and screen several times

Speaking of Smith and Dench’s friendship, Ol Parker – who wrote The best exotic marigold hotelhe said, “Maggie and Judi were swimming in their Victorian swimsuits. And every day we all laughed and laughed and laughed.”

Meanwhile, actress Barbara Leigh-Hunt and close friend of Dench also died last month at the age of 88.

TThe English star, known for her role of the ill-fated Brenda in Alfred Hitchcock’s epic film Frenzy was close friends with Dench and was even the godmother of her daughter Finty Williams.

Although Dench said nothing about Smith or Leigh-Hunt at the festival, she told the audience that the trees she is planting in her Surrey home were in memory of her late friends.