Dame Judi Dench and Jay Blades may seem like an unlikely pairing, but it seems they have all the right chemistry for a brand new one-off documentary, The Odd Couple.
Jay and Dame Judi first met on The Repair Shop three years ago, when Judi starred on the show with hopes that the restorers could restore a pocket watch that belonged to her late husband, Michael Williams.
Now, Judi and Jay have taken their bond to the next level, with Jay even visiting Judi’s late husband’s grave in a heart-wrenching scene.
Dame Judi Dench and Jay Blades new documentary
Although the pals seem to get along like a house on fire, they didn’t come up with the concept of the show on their own – in fact, Judi’s daughter Finty did.
“We were having a chat; I was just seeing how her mum was doing,” Jay explained to OK!. He recalled: “She said: ‘Mum would love to work with you,’ And I said: ‘I’d love to work with her,’ ‘Think of some ideas Jay,’ is what she said. So, I did, and we started thinking about places we could go together – places that she holds dearly to her, and places I hold dearly to me.”
In their new project, the pair will embark on a journey where they visit places with special meanings for them, including The Old Vic theatre in London, where Judi has performed numerous times.
Visiting Michael’s grave
Sharing an intimate moment, the pair also visit the grave of Judi’s late husband, Michael Williams. They will be seen travelling to Stratford upon Avon, where Judi had lived with Michael and Finty years before.
“Stratford upon Avon was an exceptionally happy period of my life with Michael, Finty, my Ma and Michael’s parents where we all lived for many years and it was very dear to us,” the actress recalls on the show.
Judi also shares a very personal moment with Jay – taking him to the grave where Michael was laid to rest. “To lay flowers and a heart on Michael’s grave was like, wow. It was a moment that we shared. And I’m very fortunate that the cameras were there, because some scenes don’t need words, you can just feel and see the emotion,” Jay says in the show.
The Odd Couple on Channel 4
Channel 4 details the show, stating: “Despite being born nearly 40 years apart, and taking very different journeys in life, stage and screen legends Dame Judi Dench and Jay Blades walked away with a friendship for life after a chance meeting three years ago. Keen to learn more about each other’s backgrounds and upbringings, the nostalgic one-off will see the duo embark on a journey to explore the places and people that have shaped their vastly different lives.
“Taking a whistle-stop tour down memory lane, the legendary pair uncover secrets from each other’s past, sharing funny and heart-warming stories along the way. Travelling together across the UK, exploring London and Stratford-upon-Avon, Judi and Jay unveil anecdotes about the path to their incredible successes, introducing each other to special people, past times and places that have influenced who they are. From Hackney’s Ridley Road Market to The Old Vic theatre, Judi and Jay head to some of London’s most memorable places, showcasing the city’s vast culture and diverse neighbourhoods.
“This biographical travel show is an intimate portrait of true friendship, whilst also telling the story of class, race and social mobility in Britain through the years.”
The Odd Couple will air on August 18 2024 on Channel 4 at 9pm.
Read more: BBC in ‘big vote of confidence’ for embattled Jay Blades as new Repair Shop spin-off announced
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