Dame Dame Judi Dench has been announced as a Patron of Exeter Northcott Theatre for its 50th anniversary year.

The Philomena star, already a Patron of previous Exeter festivals and the theatre's former Friends scheme, commented 'I have been associated with the Northcott Theatre for many years, so I was particularly pleased to be asked to be a Patron of the 50th Birthday Anniversary. With so many regional theatres having disappeared, it is important to support those that still survive and help them to thrive'.