Dame Judi to join Dimbleby and Britton with tattoo

Dame Judi Dench
Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire — Dame Judi Dench Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

THEY are more commonly associated with rebellious teenagers, rock stars or perhaps Premiership footballers - not 80-year-old actresses.

But York-born Dame Judi Dench has said she is considering getting a tattoo to celebrate her big birthday.

The actress - who has previously teased Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein by pretending she had his name on her bottom - said her daughter Finty was supportive of the idea.

Dame Judi, who celebrated her 80th last month, is considering a symbol from India - the location for her new film, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

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Undated handout photo issued by the BBC of Broadcaster David Dimbleby as he received his first tattoo whilst making the maritime series Britain And The Sea. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday November 12, 2013. The commentator and presenter was offered the chance to have his own piece of body art while looking at how tattoos were introduced to the UK as a result of Captain Cook's South Seas adventures. He turned down the offer, thinking he was too old, and had a mark put on his body in black pencil instead. But Dimbleby told the magazine: "When I saw it in a preview of the film I thought 'That's a bit feeble.' I thought it was wimpish having it just drawn on and I needed to man up." Followed by cameramen, he visited the Vagabond tattoo studio in east London. See PA story SHOWBIZ Dimbleby. Photo credit should read: BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of — For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. Undated handout photo issued by the BBC of Broadcaster David Dimbleby as he received his first tattoo whilst making the maritime series Britain And The Sea. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday November 12, 2013. The commentator and presenter was offered the chance to have his own piece of body art while looking at how tattoos were introduced to the UK as a result of Captain Cook's South Seas adventures. He turned down the offer, thinking he was too old, and had a mark put on his body in black pencil instead. But Dimbleby told the magazine: "When I saw it in a preview of the film I thought 'That's a bit feeble.' I thought it was wimpish having it just drawn on and I needed to man up." Followed by cameramen, he visited the Vagabond tattoo studio in east London. See PA story SHOWBIZ Dimbleby. Photo credit should read: BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of

In an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine, she said: “I am tempted to have a tattoo to mark my birthday.

“There’s an Indian symbol that I like which supposedly represents life and love and everything. One of the cameramen who worked on The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel told me what it meant, but I’m a bit nervous in case I’m being set up - It might be unbelievably rude.”

Dame Judi certainly wouldn’t be the first person in the limelight to get their first tattoo in later life.

Broadcaster David Dimbleby got his first, a scorpion on his shoulder, at the age of 75 in 2013, and presenter Fern Britton had two butterflies inked on her stomach at the age of 53 in 2011. She was inspired after reading that Felicity Kendal had a star on her foot at the age of 64.

In the interview, Dame Judi said she had no plans to stop her acting career.

“The thought of putting my feet up doesn’t appeal at all - no no, no!” she said.