Dame Helen Mirren admits 'it's sometimes hard for me' after turning 80

Oscar-winning Dame Helen Mirren revealed "it's sometimes hard for me to get up in the morning" after she recently celebrated a landmark birthday.

The esteemed British actress, who celebrated her 80th birthday at the end of July, has opened up to her fans about the challenges that come with ageing.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, she disclosed that there's no magical formula to her enduring success and confessed that mornings can be a struggle for her.

She shared with the publication: "Yes, it's sometimes hard for me to get up in the morning, but the people I get to work with and the fun I get to have keeps me wanting to do more. It's still so enjoyable for me."

Dame Helen has long been one of the most celebrated actors of her generation, clinching an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen and earning accolades for her performances in The Madness of King George, Gosford Park, and The Last Station.

As she approaches the latter stages of her illustrious career, she remains as industrious as ever, juggling a full slate of acting commitments.

Earlier in her conversation with the magazine, Dame Helen remarked that she has never been one to engage in excessive exercise or strict dieting, instead, her approach of "doing everything, but not too much of anything" has served as her guiding principle.

Her recent reflections follow her lead role in a star-studded cast for the film adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling novel, The Thursday Murder Club.

Starring alongside big names such as Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, the film follows four retirees attempting to solve cold case murders.

Dame Helen's impressive CV is a testament to her decades-long career in the industry. Her career began on stage, but many regard her role in the 1984 film Cal as her breakthrough moment in cinema.

Since then, she has graced some of the nation's favourite films, including The Long Good Friday, The Madness of King George, and Gosford Park.

Among her numerous career highlights, perhaps the most notable was her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, which earned her both an Academy Award and a BAFTA.

Throughout her illustrious career, she has also bagged several Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her performances in Losing Chase, The Queen, Elizabeth I, Prime Suspect, and The Passion of Ayn Rand.