Hotel guests treated to musical performance by Hollywood star Judi Dench

By Danielle Desouza, PA

Guests at a Scottish hotel were treated to a musical performance by Hollywood star Dame Judi Dench and singer Sharleen Spiteri.

A video, which was posted to Twitter and has amassed over 100,000 views, shows the pair sharing a stool, with Dench playing the piano and singing parts of Abba’s hit Waterloo while Ms Spiteri belts out the song.

The performance took place at The Fife Arms in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, just before midnight fireworks welcomed in 2023.

GLOBAL EXCLUSIVE - Dame Judi Dench gigs with Sharleen Spiteri at The Fife Arms, Braemar - future dates are in the planning. Watch this space, meantime, HAPPY NEW YEAR! #damejudidench #judidench #sharleenspiteri #thefifearms #braemar #scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #newyear #happynewyear pic.twitter.com/5iOcl3SuB3

— Ewan Venters (@ewanventers) January 1, 2023

Twitter users expressed their thoughts on the clip.

“Two absolute legends,” said one, while another recalled boarding the same train as Dench years ago.

Whether or not the actress actually played the piano was also open to speculation.

One tweeter wrote: “Did no one else notice that this was a self-playing piano? The keys are moving by themselves and Dame Judy is acting wonderfully well! (Sorry to spoil the party atmos)”.

Another said: “Look at the keys, she’s not actually playing.”

Despite this, Ewan Venters, the chief executive officer of Artfarm, which owns The Fife Arms, told BBC Scotland the rendition brought happiness to those present.

“Judi Dench and Sharleen Spiteri were staying at the hotel and we had an impromptu moment at the piano,” he said.

“It was a happy evening with lots of guests and locals clapping.”

Mr Venters later told the PA news agency: “(Judi and Sharleen) had met previously but after dinner they met in the lobby and took to the piano.

“Guests were somewhat shocked but loved it!

“Two legends – a Scottish musician, Sharleen Spiteri – and Dame Judi who although born in the city of York is honorary Scot for not least playing Queen Victoria on so many occasions.

“Mrs Brown was back on Royal Deeside!”