Felicity Kendal has spoken candidly about her ongoing grief following the death of her long-time partner Michael Rudman in March 2023, as she prepares to return to the stage in a new production of Cole Porter's musical High Society. The actress, now 79, said the first two years after his death were deeply painful, but in the third year she has begun to carry the happier memories of their decades together. Kendal and Rudman first met when she was 32, married in 1983, divorced in 1991, and later reunited, remaining closely connected for the rest of his life.

Kendal said she has no desire to begin another relationship, explaining that she feels she has 'done enough' and cannot imagine replacing what she shared with Rudman. The recent death of playwright Tom Stoppard, with whom she had both a professional and personal relationship, also brought reflection as she revisited one of his plays. Despite personal losses, she appears energised by her return to musical theatre, describing High Society as an uplifting escape filled with wit, romance and innocence.

Looking back on her long career, from The Good Life to acclaimed stage roles, Kendal dismissed modern criticisms of past television storylines and expressed concern about the pressures younger generations face, particularly around dating and social media scrutiny. Approaching her 80th birthday, she has no plans to retire, saying she feels fortunate to continue working and content with all she has already achieved.