Dec 9
Dame Judi Dench Reveals Hilariously Profane Parrot's Insults
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Iconic British actor Dame Judi Dench revealed some of the names her foul-mouthed pet parrot hurls at her on the daily.
And just where did that cheeky beaky learn such language? Dench explained that, as well.
Dame Judi served the hilarious tea while chatting with UK newspaper The Times (story is behind a paywall).
The legendary star, 89, told the publication about "a bit of naughty talk directed her way by her African grey parrot, Sweetie," Entertainment Weekly relayed.
Not quite living up to her name, Dench's feathered friend showers those around her with abuse, the star revealed.
"We had a long chat just now," Dench told The Times of the parrot. "You shouldn't ask what she says. She says: 'You're a slut,' 'You're a slag.'"
Another British newspaper, The Sun, recalled how Dench "previously revealed how she had tried – and failed – to teach the parrot to recite Shakespeare."
Dench had told the story of the bird's fowl language while appearing on UK program "The Graham Norton Show" in 2021, EW recalled.
"I was given a parrot for Christmas, a charming, charming parrot, called Sweetheart," the "James Bond" actor said at the time. "She lived with a man 14 years, and now she's come to me."
"I said to David who brought her to me, 'Does she speak?' He said, 'Oh yes, she'll speak alright.' And she goes, 'What are you doin.'"
Dench "affected a deep, gravelly voice when she imitated the bird," EW noted, "indicating that it had learned not only to repeat its former owner's words but mimic his tone of voice, too."
Funny as that initial innocuous remark was, Sweetie showed her true colors soon enough. In remarks to The Sun recently, Dench recalled that Sweetie "didn't speak for a long time... then she suddenly said to Barbara [the housekeeper], who comes in to me three times a week, 'You're a slag.'"
EW went on to add: "Once during a conversation with her grandson's girlfriend about thermal underwear, Sweetie pertly chirped, 'slut.'"
"I don't know where she learned the timing," Dench marveled.
Those aren't the only shocking imprecations the bird has let fly.
"She has said 'Boris Johnson,'" Dench recounted, "but she didn't get that from me. She listens to the radio."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
