Dench suffers fall outside London theatre

Dame Judi Dench has been forced to temporarily pull out of her new play in the West End after falling and seriously injuring her ankle.

Theatregoers rushed to the aid of the 74-year-old after she tripped on the pavement outside London's Wyndham Theatre last night.

According to The Sun, some onlookers feared that the Notes On A Scandal actress had suffered a stroke and an ambulance was called.

"It was absolutely horrifying, seeing Dame Judi fall like that," a witness said. "One minute I was saying to my friend 'There's Dame Judi' and the next minute she fell over, grasping her arm and screeching in pain. She kept screaming 'arrgh' over and over again."

Doctors have told Dench to stay off work because she has a "seriously sprained ankle".

Her spokesperson said that her role as Madame de Montreuil in Madame De Sade will be performed this weekend by her understudy Marjorie Hayward.

"The Donmar theatre company and Judi apologise for any upset or inconvenience this may cause, and wish to reassure those with tickets that it is her intention to return to the role next week," the rep continued.