Dame Judi Dench’s Parrot Has a Colorful Vocabulary
Dame Judi Dench, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles on stage and screen, has a surprising new co-star: a foul-mouthed parrot named Sweetie. The Academy Award winner recently revealed that her feathered companion, an African Gray parrot, has developed a rather colorful vocabulary.
“We had a long talk just now. You shouldn’t ask what it says,” Dench shared with a chuckle. “She says, ‘You’re a whore,’ ‘You’re scum’.”
“She said ‘Boris Johnson‘ but I didn’t say it to her. She listens to the radio. Oh my god, she’s funny though. She is very, very funny. Everyone should have a parrot or a mynah. Their voices are absolutely incredible.”
Sweetie’s sassy attitude isn’t limited to Dench. The parrot has also targeted the actress’s housekeeper, Barbara, and even her grandson’s girlfriend. On separate occasions, Sweetie reportedly called Barbara “scum” and, after being told about thermals, used the word Dime Judi euphemistically.
“Honestly, it’s true,” Dench confirmed with a wry smile. ” I don’t know where he learned the moment.”
A Pandemic Companion
Dench, who turns 90 next week, received Sweetie as a gift during the COVID-19 pandemic. The beloved “lovely” bird has quickly become a cherished part of the household and an unexpected source of amusement.
In a 2022 interview for a documentary series, Dench confessed, “I wouldn’t be without her for the world.”
No Shakespeare for Sweetie
While Sweetie might be a vocal critic, she hasn’t quite mastered the art of Shakespearean drama. Dench previously revealed that her efforts to teach the parrot lines from the Bard’s plays were ultimately unsuccessful.
“They gave me the parrot and it didn’t speak for a long time,” Dench recounted. “Suddenly, he said to Barbara, who comes to see me three times a week: ‘You’re scum.’ “
Turning 90 With a Smile
Reflecting on her upcoming birthday, Dench admitted to feeling a little apprehensive about turning 90, but remains positive, adding, “It’s just that you get a little nervous when everyone says 90. I don’t want to think too much about 90, I’m going to think about [turning] 29.”
With Sweetie around, there’s no doubt Dench’s ninth decade will be anything but ordinary.
What are some examples of Sweetheart’s colorful vocabulary?
## Dame Judi Dench’s Parrot: Feathered Friend or Foul-Mouthed Fury?
**Interviewer:** Dame Judi Dench, national treasure and acclaimed actress, has recently revealed a surprising side to her life: she’s sharing her home with a rather outspoken parrot!
**Alex Reed:** (chuckles) That’s putting it mildly! Dame Judi’s parrot, Sweetheart, has certainly made a name for herself with her, shall we say, colourful vocabulary. It seems she’s picked up quite a few choice phrases from the radio.
**Interviewer:** It’s certainly a stark contrast to Dame Judi’s elegant on-screen persona. Has Sweetheart ever uttered a particularly shocking phrase?
**Alex Reed:** Well, Dame Judi herself let slip that Sweetheart has called her a few things, perhaps not fit for polite conversation! She apparently enjoys hurling insults like ”You’re a whore” and “You’re scum.” [[1](https://news.stv.tv/entertainment/dame-judi-dench-says-pet-parrot-once-said-boris-johnsons-name-clear-as-day)]
**Interviewer:** Oh my! Has Sweetheart only been picking up these colourful phrases, or is she capable of other conversation?
**Alex Reed:** Dame Judi mentioned that Sweetheart surprised her by uttering former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s name quite clearly.
Interestingly, she claims she never actually said the name to the parrot, leading to speculation that Sweetheart might be a keen political commentator, tuning into current affairs on the radio. [[1](https://news.stv.tv/entertainment/dame-judi-dench-says-pet-parrot-once-said-boris-johnsons-name-clear-as-day)]
**Interviewer:** It seems like Sweetheart is quite the character!
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely! Dame Judi appreciates Sweetheart’s unique personality. She even encourages others to consider getting a parrot or mynah bird, highlighting their incredible voices and undeniable entertainment value.[[1](https://news.stv.tv/entertainment/dame-judi-dench-says-pet-parrot-once-said-boris-johnsons-name-clear-as-day)]
