THE brother of Dame Judi Dench, who inspired the Oscar-winning actress to take to the stage, has died, aged 91.

Former GP Peter Dench, of Green Hammerton, near Boroughbridge, was educated at St Peter’s School, York, where his sister was first drawn to act while watching him and his brother perform in a school play, Anthony and Cleopatra.

His children, Simon and Louise, said he had remained fit and active until very recently, walking on Sandsend beach, near Whitby, on New Year’s Day.

He had also been able to watch his sister at the National Railway Museum in the autumn, playing Queen Victoria in a scene for a new film, Victoria and Abdul.

Simon said his father was always really close to Dame Judi, and had been ‘immensely proud’ of her acting achievements, and of his younger brother Jeffrey, also a Shakespearean actor, who died in 2014.

Dr Dench, who served as a doctor for the Green Howards while doing his National Service, was among the first medics to use a military helicopter while the army was dealing with the Malayan conflict.

His funeral will be held at York Crematorium on February 3, at 1pm.