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.”