Helen Mirren, 74, finally reveals the story behind THAT viral bikini snap

It was the bikini snap that drove thousands across the globe wild and cemented her reputation as a sex symbol. And Helen Mirren, 74, has now detailed the story behind the image of her incredible beach body on an Italian beach which surfaced in 2008.

It was the bikini snap that drove thousands across the globe wild and cemented her reputation as a sex symbol. 

And Helen Mirren, 74, has now detailed the story behind the image of her incredible beach body on an Italian beach which surfaced in 2008. 

Speaking to KTLA's Sam Rubin, the actress revealed that she was just trying to 'suck in her stomach and her cheeks to look good' for an impromptu snap taken by her husband Taylor Hackford, when she suddenly noticed a paparazzi flash in the distance.  

'My husband was taking a photo': Helen Mirren, 74, has now detailed the story behind the image of her incredible beach body on an Italian beach which surfaced in 2008

'My husband was taking a photo': Helen Mirren, 74, has now detailed the story behind the image of her incredible beach body on an Italian beach which surfaced in 2008

When quizzed by Sam about the famous snap, Helen revealed: 'So, we were there (Italian beach), swimming a little bit, lying in the sun, and Taylor said, "Stand up, I want to take a picture of you."

'So I stood up, and sucked my tummy in because my husband was taking my photo. I tried to suck my cheeks in. I tried to look... good.'

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Noticing her hesitation, Sam quipped: 'You were about to say "sexy"!

Helen burst into a fit of giggles: 'Hahaha, I was, but no!' She continued to detail her story: 'Just as he took the shot, I saw a flash in the hills.

'Taylor said, "what's the matter?" I said, "there's paparazzi up there!'

Viral: The icon revealed that she was just trying to 'suck in her stomach and her cheeks to look good' for an impromptu snap taken in 2008 by her husband Taylor Hackford

Viral: The icon revealed that she was just trying to 'suck in her stomach and her cheeks to look good' for an impromptu snap taken in 2008 by her husband Taylor Hackford

Oh no! The Queen actress explained that she suddenly noticed a paparazzi flash in the distance during her quick photoshoot

Oh no! The Queen actress explained that she suddenly noticed a paparazzi flash in the distance during her quick photoshoot 

Details: Speaking of posing for the photoshoot, Helen said: 'I sucked my tummy in because my husband was taking my photo. I tried to suck my cheeks in. I tried to look... good'

Details: Speaking of posing for the photoshoot, Helen said: 'I sucked my tummy in because my husband was taking my photo. I tried to suck my cheeks in. I tried to look... good'

'He said, "no, there isn't, don't be ridiculous! How can they be up there, that's absolutely absurd. You're paranoid!" Of course, three days later, that shot came out!' 

In 2016, it was revealed that business opportunities arose for the then-63-year-old actress in 2008, although she reportedly refused them all as she was 'not interested' in profiting from the now-famous shot.

Helen's screenwriter nephew Simon spoke to The Times about his superstar relative and her insistence not to seek fame.

Simon 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.'

Honest: KTLA's Sam Rubin quipped 'You were about to say "sexy"! Helen burst into a fit of giggles: 'Hahaha, I was, but no!'

Honest: KTLA's Sam Rubin quipped 'You were about to say "sexy"! Helen burst into a fit of giggles: 'Hahaha, I was, but no!'

'Of course, three days later,that shot came out!' Helen recalled telling her husband Taylor about the paparazzi but he refused to believe her and told her she was being 'paranoid'

'Of course, three days later,that shot came out!' Helen recalled telling her husband Taylor about the paparazzi but he refused to believe her and told her she was being 'paranoid' 

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. 

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.'

Meanwhile, the Oscar-winning actress' career is still going strong, and she was last seen in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Helen will next be seen in the drama flick, The Good Liar, which is released on November 15th and also stars Ian McKellen.

'Won't brand herself like that': Business opportunities arose for the star, then 63, although she reportedly refused them all as she was 'not interested' in profiting from the now-famous shot

'Won't brand herself like that': Business opportunities arose for the star, then 63, although she reportedly refused them all as she was 'not interested' in profiting from the now-famous shot

 

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