Dame Helen Mirren has conceded that comments made by Sir Michael Parkinson about how her figure may have hindered her career were “right.”
The actress, now 78, appeared on Sir Michael’s chat show in 1975 in one of the most cringe-worthy interviews he ever conducted.
In the interview, Sir Michael introduced the actress as the “sex queen” of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He then asked her: “Do you find, in fact, that this, what could be best described as your equipment, in fact hinders you perhaps in that pursuit? Well, your physical attributes. Your figure.”
To which, Dame Helen replied: “Serious actresses can’t have big bosoms, is that what you mean?”
Sir Michael added: “I think that they might detract from the performance, if you know what I mean.”
Dame Helen called him a “sexist old fart” following the awkward chat.
Sir Michael, who died in August, always refused to apologise for the interview.
But now, Dame Helen – who recently walked at Paris Fashion Week for French beauty brand L’Oreal – has now told the Radio Times that his sentiment may have been correct.
“I didn’t feel sorry for Parky, but then in a way I did because in lots of ways he was right.
“My physicality did get in the way of me being taken seriously as a classical actress.”
She added: “Also, I was listening to Elton John’s autobiography and I didn’t realise that when Elton John was outed in a bad way by The Sun, Parky invited Elton on to his show so that they could talk about it properly.
“He held out a hand and helped Elton John at a very important moment. So I don’t want to diss Parky.”
Sir Michael was laid to rest in a private funeral attended by 90 close friends and family members last month.
The legendary broadcaster, a coal miner’s son from Barnsley, died at the age of 88 due to “frailty of old age”.
Referred to as “Parky” by his friends and fans, he was known for his intimate interview style which saw him sit down with some of the biggest stars on the planet such as Muhammad Ali.
Sir Michael’s service was held at St Michael’s Church in Bray, Berkshire, with music by his favourite singer, Frank Sinatra, playing in the background.
