Dame Judi Dench has revealed her journey on the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? has left her feeling closer to William Shakespeare, 64 years after she made her debut as Ophelia in Hamlet.
After visiting the Kronborg Castle - immortalised in Shakespeare's play Hamlet - the acting veteran, 86, admitted to the the Radio Times: 'I've always wanted to visit Kronborg Castle and now not only have I visited it, but I have a link to it, too.'
She added: 'I hope my ten-times-great aunt liked the Bard – knowing that Kempe visited the castle and presumably performed there does make me feel that I'm a step nearer to my beloved Shakespeare.'
Revelation: Dame Judi Dench, 86, has revealed that her journey on the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? has left her feeling closer to William Shakespeare
She went on to express her surprise at her newly discovered Nordic heritage.
Judi said: 'I just will never stop talking about it. Now I'm a Dane! Heaven!... I look in the mirror all the time now and think, 'Aah, Scandinavia!''
The Skyfall actress also compared the journey she'd been on in the show as like starting a new project.
'It's just been an extraordinary adventure – like starting a play, not knowing your part in it.'
Happy: After visiting the Kronborg Castle - immortalised in Shakespeare's play Hamlet - Judi, who played Ophelia in Hamlet (pictured, 1957) admitted to the the Radio Times : 'I've always wanted to visit Kronborg Castle and now not only have I visited it, but I have a link to it, too.'
Judi has previously spoken out about her obsession with the Elizabethan bard, and has played a number of roles in various plays by him, including Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth.
Judi also finds out about her father Reginald - who never spoke of his experiences during the First World War.
Others taking part in this year's series of the genealogy show include Pixie Lott, 30, Alex Scott, 36, Joe Sugg, 30, Joe Lycett, 33, Josh Widdicombe, 38, and Ed Balls, 54.
Family tree: She added: 'I hope my ten-times-great aunt liked the Bard – knowing that Kempe visited the castle and presumably performed there does make me feel that I'm a step nearer to my beloved Shakespeare'
Obsessed: Judi has previously spoken out about her obsession with the Elizabethan bard, and has played a number of roles in various plays by him, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, and Countess Rossillion in All's Well That Ends Well (pictured)
Broadcaster and former footballer Alex learns about her Jewish and Jamaican heritage, and ancestors that suffered tremendous hardships.
YouTuber and Strictly star Joe discovers a remarkable family history as far back as the Great Fire of London, and comedian Josh traces his lineage back to the Elizabethan and Tudor Courts.
Former Labour politician Ed uncovers great bravery, and some less-admirable conduct, whilst comedian Joe discovers a darker side to his family history.
Pixie Lott hopes to find the truth of
