Judi Dench sets Oliviers record

Dame Judi Dench has won a record-breaking eighth Olivier Award. The veteran actress picked up Best Supporting Actress for her role as Paulina in 'The Winter's Tale' at tonight's (03.04.16) ceremony at London's Royal Opera House, and her win means she has now been honoured more than anyone else since the awards - which recognise excellence in theatre - began 40 years ago. But the 81-year-old star joked she was "livid" to have won, as it meant she had lost a bet with her grandson. Taking to the stage, she said: "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm absolutely livid as I had a bet with my grandson ... and I'm never going to be able to forget it." She went on to praise the "really fantastic company and crew and stage management", and added of the award: "It's lovely to have, but in actual fact it belongs to all those people just as much as it belongs to me." Elsewhere at the MasterCard-sponsored ceremony, 'Gypsy' was the big winner with four prizes, including Best Actress in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a musical for Imelda Staunton and Lara Pulver respectively, as well as Best Musical Revival and Best Lighting Design. Imelda had opened the ceremony with a rendition of 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' while other performers included Cyndi Lauper - whose production 'Kinky Boots' was named Best New Musical - and Jack Savoretti. In celebration of the ceremony's 40th anniversary, the finale saw 15 past Olivier winners, including Maria Friedman, Ruthie Henshall and Jill Halfpenny, perform 'What I Did for Love', which features in the first-ever Best New Musical winner, 'A Chorus Line'. Michael Ball was the evening's host.