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Judi Dench joins other stars at Noel Coward charity gala after mourning the death of her friend Maggie Smith

The actress, 89, was also joined by broadcaster Gyles Brandreth and actor Derek Jacobi at the charity gala A Marvellous Party.

Judi, who shared personal anecdotes during her presentation at the literature festival, got emotional after interviewer Brendan O'Hea brought up her beloved friends who both passed away in the last month. Maggie's death sparked an outpouring of grief from fellow thespians and Harry Potter fans around the world, with Huge Bonneville leading tributes to a 'true legend of her generation'. The pair had appeared on stage and on screen together several times, including the 1985 film A Room with a View, the 2004 drama 'Ladies in Lavender' and the 2011 comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

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