The 65-year-old actress describes herself as a "spiritual" person but admits she is not religious and doesn`t believe in God.

She said: "I am quite spiritual. I believed in the fairies when I was a child. I still do sort of believe in the fairies. And the leprechauns. But I don`t believe in God."

The `Queen` star also admitted she always carries her own tea bags whenever she has to travel anywhere in order to brew her favourite beverage.

She told America`s Esquire magazine: "I drink just as much tea when I`m in Los Angeles as I do when I`m in London. I take my tea bags with me wherever I go. PG Tips."

Tea is not the only drink Helen enjoys - the actress thinks a good party required "lots and lots" of alcohol, though she doesn`t like throwing bashes herself.

She said: "I don`t throw a lot of parties. I find throwing parties a bit intimidating. What makes a good one? Loads and loads of drink, I suppose. But that can be a disaster as well."

The actress - who is married to director Taylor Hackford - also admitted she was an "idiot" when she was younger, but thinks that is normal, and lamented the fact people are always filled with "self-doubt" in their twenties as it is the best time of life.

She added: "We`re all idiots when we`re young. We don`t think we are, but we are. So we should be.

"The hardest period in life is one`s twenties. It`s a shame because you`re your most gorgeous and you`re physically in peak condition. But it`s actually when you`re most insecure and full of self-doubt. When you don`t know what`s going to happen, it`s frightening."
sections: Celebrities