'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.
Scroll down for video
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Delighted: Julianne took away the Best Actress International Award that evening
- GRAPHIC: Dr. Pimple Popper deals with massive blackhead
- Moment Beyonce almost FELL during Super Bowl performance
- Royal Caribbean ship hits rough waters passing through storm
- Super Bowl halftime show: Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars
- Cam Newton storms out of press conference after Super Bowl
- Passengers capture moment boat is hit by 30ft waves
- Unsettling 'Ultrasound' Super Bowl commericial for Doritos
- Cam Newton clams up on camera after Panther Super Bowl loss
- Nightmare monster or eight-legged friend? Man chooses latter
- Lady Gaga sings the national anthem at the Super Bowl
- Leopard prowls into Indian school injuring four people
- Peyton plugs Budweiser and hugs Papa John's owner after win
- Beyonce gets political at the Super Bowl: Singer performs...
- EXCLUSIVE: Oh snap! America's 'most hated mom' Casey...
- 'Sore loser' Cam Newton comes under fire for STORMING OUT of...
- Terror at sea: Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean cruise told...
- Man 'researched miscarriages before beating his pregnant...
- Mother of ten-year-old boy raped in Austrian swimming pool...
- Is this where it all began? How Emma Watson took her new...
- Peyton goes to Disneyland! Victorious Super Bowl...
- PIERS MORGAN: If you wondered what Helen Mirren meant by...
- 'You had one job': Red Lobster mocked in hilarious tweets...
- Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani SLAMS Beyonce's 'Black...
- Horrific details emerge from the night Johnny Manziel...