'She's not interested': Dame Helen Mirren 'declined to profit from THAT bikini snap after refusing to brand herself in that way'

Dame Helen Mirren caused shockwaves in 2008 when images surfaced of her incredible bikini body on an Italian beach.

Business opportunities arose for the then-63-year-old actress, although she reportedly refused them all as she was 'not interested' in profiting from the now-famous shot. 

The 70-year-old's screenwriter nephew Simon spoke to Sharon Feinstein at The Times about his superstar relative and her insistence not to seek fame. 

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Bikini ban: Dame Helen Mirren caused shockwaves in 2008 when images surfaced of her incredible bikini body on an Italian beach and when business opportunities arose she reportedly refused them all as she was 'not interested' in profiting from the now-famous shot

Bikini ban: Dame Helen Mirren caused shockwaves in 2008 when images surfaced of her incredible bikini body on an Italian beach and when business opportunities arose she reportedly refused them all as she was 'not interested' in profiting from the now-famous shot

Simon, who recently penned a new BBC2 period drama Versailles, said: 'I begged her to turn us all into millionaires by marketing bikinis after everyone went wild over her fit bikini body but she said: "Absolutely no". She's not interested. She won't brand herself like that.'

Millions of women around the world were left stunned after seeing the picture of Dame Helen in her bikini on holiday yet she admitted that the famous shot will 'haunt' her for the rest of her life.

The actress was snapped by a photographer on a beach in Italy on holiday and the pictures quickly cemented her reputation as a sex symbol.

Are they taking the mic-key? Helen lowered herself down to the height of a tiny mic for her acceptance speech

Are they taking the mic-key? Helen lowered herself down to the height of a tiny mic for her acceptance speech

Talking about the shot previously, Helen said: 'I think the thing that will haunt me for the rest of my life is that bloody photograph of myself in a bikini. In and of itself, it is a lie because I don't actually look like that and I know that that is going to haunt me forever and I'll be forever trying to bury it unsuccessfully.' 

Simon also candidly revealed that his aunt is far from a fame-hungry Hollywood star, as he added: 'What Helen loves is going to Home Depot, where you buy drills, hammers and plants, rather than being seen in posh Hollywood restaurants when you are the talk of the town.' 

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Helen for comment.  

Winner winner: She took the award for Lifeswork International on the star-studded evening

Winner winner: She took the award for Lifeswork International on the star-studded evening

Be a lady in red like Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren looked her usual stylish self as she attended the Die Goldene Kamera awards in Hamburg. The star opted for a stunning red dress, which she accessorized with pretty statement earrings.

We love the full-skirted design of Helen's frock, plus the long sleeves which gave it a really elegant look. The sparkling embellished material also gave it a luxe appearance.

The gorgeous gown is by talented designer Jacques Azagury, a designer famed for his red-carpet creations. He is well-known for having dressed Princess Diana, plus has a myriad of celebrity fans including Katherine Jenkins, Sharon Obourne and of course, Helen, who has worn his designs everywhere from the BAFTAS, to film premieres.

Click right to discover the current collection by Jacques Azagury, or be a lady in red like Helen with our high-street picks below.

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After Simon's candid confession, Helen was the guest of honour at Saturday night's Die Goldene Kamera awards in Hamburg, where she received Lifeswork International and looking exquisite in a scarlet gown.

But Helen didn't expect to have to deliver her acceptance speech on her knees when her microphone slipped to almost half her height on stage.

Placing her award down on the floor, the veteran star let her gown scrape across the floor as she gave a comic delivery 

Me? She delivered an hilarious speech for the waiting crowds that night

Me? She delivered an hilarious speech for the waiting crowds that night

The British actress jetted to Germany for the 51st annual Goldene Kamera ceremony, where she was honoured with a prestigious award for her 50-year career.

She was looking gorgeous in a bright red dress, which featured glistening embrodery and a flattering A-line shape.

Her silver tresses were coiffed back into an elegant style that tucked neatly into her nape and exposed her giant gold earrings. 

Elegant: The movie star let her red gown trail on the floor as she joked

Elegant: The movie star let her red gown trail on the floor as she joked

Doing her thing: She appeared to be in great spirits as she delivered her speech

Doing her thing: She appeared to be in great spirits as she delivered her speech

Helen stunned in a three-quarter length sleeve, shimmery red ballgown, which highlighted her trim figure. 

The gorgeous gown featured sheer sleeves as well as detailed beading, and she coupled it with a pair of dangling, gold earrings.

She complemented the look with a bright red lipstick, also sporting a bit of black eyeliner for the occasion.

On stage, after refusing to let the technical difficulty hinder her speech, the moviestar thrust her award into the award with a cheesy grin.  

Bright move: She looked gorgeous in a bright red dress, which featured glistening embrodery and a flattering A-line shape

Bright move: She looked gorgeous in a bright red dress, which featured glistening embrodery and a flattering A-line shape

Style star: Her silver tresses were coiffed back into an elegant style that tucked neatly into her nape and exposed her giant gold earrings

Style star: Her silver tresses were coiffed back into an elegant style that tucked neatly into her nape and exposed her giant gold earrings

Lady in red! Helen worked her magic as she posed for photos on the red carpet

Lady in red! Helen worked her magic as she posed for photos on the red carpet

The Woman in Gold star was being honored with the International Lifetime Achievement Award.

She most recently starred alongside Bryan Cranston in Trumbo, but will next be appearing in David Frankel's Collateral Beauty.

She had obviously been delighted to be in attendance on the night and was animated when she walked the red carpet in Hamburg. 

Helen blew kisses and teased the photographers not long before taking some time out for the fans and signed pictures as they patiently waited. 

Coordinating: The Trumbo star accessorized her look with red lipstick, also sporting a gorgeous pair of dangling, gold earrings

Coordinating: The Trumbo star accessorized her look with red lipstick, also sporting a gorgeous pair of dangling, gold earrings

Fan friendly: Helen stopped to sign autographs before heading in for the show

Fan friendly: Helen stopped to sign autographs before heading in for the show

Special night: The actress was being honored at the ceremony with the International Lifetime Achievement Award

Special night: The actress was being honored at the ceremony with the International Lifetime Achievement Award

Blooming lovely: (L-R) Dunja Hayali, Julianne Moore, Helen Mirren and Maria Simon were all presented with flowers

Blooming lovely: (L-R) Dunja Hayali, Julianne Moore, Helen Mirren and Maria Simon were all presented with flowers

Fellow attendees Julianne Moore and Gerard Butler each put their best foot forward on the arrivals carpet ahead of similarly being honored at the long-running show.

Julianne, 55, and Gerard, 46, who both sported black, with the former their to receive Best International Actress and the latter picking up Best International Actor. 

The upcoming drama - which follows a New York ad man after a tragic event sends him on a downward spiral - also stars Will Smith, Rachel McAdams, and Edward Norton.

Meanwhile, Julianne sported a floor-length, black cape dress, which featured the cape embellishment on only one arm.

The other side flashed Julianne's slender arm as she was later spotted receiving her award for Best International Actress.

 Natural beauty: The Still Alice star kept her hair simple for the occasion, sporting it in a center part and styled in soft waves

 Natural beauty: The Still Alice star kept her hair simple for the occasion, sporting it in a center part and styled in soft waves

Standing out: Julianne showed off her unique sense of style in a flowing, cape dress, for which the cape embellishment only covered one arm

Standing out: Julianne showed off her unique sense of style in a flowing, cape dress, for which the cape embellishment only covered one arm

She wore her long, red tresses in a center part, and styled in soft waves that cascaded over her shoulders.

Julianne highlighted her eyes with a bold, dark liner, balancing out the look by sporting a soft, pink lipstick. 

She flashed a wide grin as she took to the stage to accept her award, and looked to be in good spirits.

Suave: Gerard looked stylish in a fitted, black suit as he arrived for the ceremony 

Suave: Gerard looked stylish in a fitted, black suit as he arrived for the ceremony 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 star has two films slated for the next year, drama Wonderstruck and comedy Suburbicon.

She is set to star alongside Matt Damon and Josh Brolin in the latter film, written by the Coen brothers and directed by George Clooney.

Gerard looked dapper for the ceremony, as he arrived sporting a fitted, black suit jacket and coordinating trousers.

Honoured: He clutched the trophy with a smile and looked delighted to be receiving it

Honoured: He clutched the trophy with a smile and looked delighted to be receiving it

He coupled the look with a crisp, white button down as well as a black, silk tie, and black dress shoes.

The London Has Fallen star showed off a big smile as he walked the carpet ahead of the show, waving at fans.

Gerard was honored at Saturday's ceremony with the award for Best International Actor. His upcoming action flick with Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman - London Has Fallen - hits theaters March 4.

Joker: Similarly, Gerard was entertaining the crowds with his witty banter

Joker: Similarly, Gerard was entertaining the crowds with his witty banter

Delighted: Julianne took away the Best Actress International Award that evening

Delighted: Julianne took away the Best Actress International Award that evening

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