Dames

Celia Imrie takes a look at some of the leading ladies who’ve proved time and again, year after year, that they are amongst the very best of British talent. These are our acting Dames, who’ve earned the respect and affection of cinema audiences – and the royal seal of approval, too.

Using BBC interviews and archive footage, those featured include Emma Thompson, Diana Rigg, Julie Walters, Elizabeth Taylor, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Helen Mirren – all of whom prove unquestionably that the song was right – there IS nothing like a Dame.