Oscars 2014: Judi Dench look-alike causes red carpet confusion

‘Philomena’ star Dame Judi Dench couldn’t make it to this year’s Oscars ceremony. Luckily though, an apparently uncanny (and very unintentional) look-alike stepped in to take her place.

The 79-year-old British thesp had been nominated for Best Actress for her part in the heartfelt ‘Philomena’ opposite Steve Coogan, only she couldn’t attend the A-list Hollywood bash as she was filming the sequel to ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ in India.

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So, when press started excitedly taking photos of a Dench-esque doppelganger on the red carpet, things got a little confusing.

The look-alike in question was actually Sue Munro, the wife of British sound engineer Chris Munro – nominated for Best Sound Mixing for both ‘Captain Phillips’ and ‘Gravity’ (which he won).

“I was greeted with cries of ‘Judi, Judi, Judi!’,” Sue told press about the identity mix-up.

“It’s the short hair,” she laughed.

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‘Philomena’ producer Tracey Seaward explained that real-life Judi had been unable to get away from India in time for the Academy Awards: “It’s a long journey for her, some 26 hours. She just couldn’t be here but she has sent messages."

Need to catch up on some of the more bizarre events of the evening? Watch our round-up below of this year's funniest Oscar moments...