Judi Dench was questioned by police for ‘stealing a deer’

The couple then pulled over, checked the animal for injuries and escorted it back into the park.

“We stopped and with enormous difficulty we got the deer back into the park,” she explained.

“The very next day the police came and said, ‘We hear you were seen taking a deer out of the park?’”

The York-born star recalled how Michael responded to the police: “We’re in jolly good company, as William Shakespeare was caught for the same thing.

“The difference being we were putting it back.”

The incident coincidentally occurred at Charlecote Park in Warwickshire, close to the playwright’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The star has a deep connection with the 16th-century writer, having debuted in 1957 with a Shakespeare play at the Old Vic Company.

Her breakout role as Ophelia in Hamlet marked the beginning of her theatre journey as she soon moved to Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Henry V.

She eventually branched into film, winning a BAFTA award for Most Promising Newcomer.

Since then, Dame Judi has ventured into documentaries, tv-series and has even appeared in video games.

However, she also shows support for other parts of the industry as highlighted when she supported Mae Muller, 25, for this year’s Eurovision song contest.

Appearing in a supportive video, Dame Judi said she hoped the singer would be awarded “many, many douze pointe”.

Other celebrities including singer Mika, comedian Maisie Adam, drag queen Divina de Campo also wished the Better Days star good luck.

Unfortunately, the UK lost to Sweden, coming in second-to-last place above Germany.

Mae responded to the results on Instagram with the post: “What an experience.

“Just wanted to say thank you for all your support over the last few months, it’s been overwhelming.

“Last night we didn’t get the result we had hoped for but i will remember the energy in that room forever!!!” (sic)