Helen Mirren is "very comfortable" with her sexuality

The actress has never thought of herself as beautiful, but has always known she was attractive to men.

And the `Arthur` star also believes she is still sexually attractive, even at the age of 65.

She said: "I`m not beautiful. I was never beautiful. I just clean up nice! Sexiness is different. I don`t mind being sexy - but on my own terms. I`ve always felt very comfortable about my sexuality.

"Women don`t lose their sex appeal as they get older, it just moves into a different kind of arena. I don`t mean full-on sex appeal - that`s really for the young. No, it`s some kind of indeterminate thing - an appreciation of life and wisdom and other things, perhaps. There should be a special word for it."

Helen - who has appeared naked in several film and TV projects - takes pride in her appearance, but ultimately she thinks too much emphasis is placed on what women look like.

In an interview with Yours magazine - which is on sale now - she said: "I like getting dressed up and looking good, but there`s far too much emphasis placed on what women look like and it makes me cross there`s so much pressure on women to be beautiful all the time.

"I don`t really want to be a part of that and we don`t need it. It`s irrelevant."

sections: Celebrities