Judi Dench and Sharleen Spiteri saw in the New Year by singing a rendition of ABBA’s Waterloo in a hotel lobby.
In a video shared to Twitter, the pair are seen sharing a stool, with the Texas star singing and national treasure Judi appearing to pretend to play piano and contributing backing vocals.
Sharleen exclaims, “What a pianist,” during the clip, which was filmed in the lobby of the Fife Arms in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, where both were staying ahead of Hogmanay.
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
Posting on Twitter, hotel owner Ewan Venters joked: “Dame Judi Dench gigs with Sharleen Spiteri at The Fife Arms, Braemar – future dates are in the planning.”
He told BBC Scotland: “Judi Dench and Sharleen Spiteri were staying at the hotel and we had an impromptu moment at the piano.”
“It was a happy evening with lots of guests and locals clapping.”
In a subsequent interview with the PA news agency, the owner added: “[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 an honorary Scot, for not least playing Queen Victoria on so many occasions.”
At the time of writing, neither star had commented on the clip circulating.