Have you ever been offered an indecent proposal?.

Yes and I was rather offended - it was only £40,000! They must have mistaken me for some other type of woman. A representative for a businessman of Middle Eastern persuasion whispered it into my ear at the Hilton years ago. I was furious, then amused.

What's it like working with Amanda Barrie in Bad Girls?

It's heaven. We're both completely insane. She's blind and I'm deaf. It took us time to get used to each other, but now we're inseparable.

What attracted you to the role in Bad Girls?

Phyl sounded fun and she was naughty but nice. More importantly, the show sounded like it'd be a scream. They sent me over some tapes and I watched them, then asked for more. They asked me whether I was still contemplating joining, but I said: 'Oh no, I want to be in it - I just want to find out what happens next.'

Have you ever been a bad girl in real life?

No, I'm a goody-goody. I like playing all the people I'm not.

What do you miss most about the UK when you're over in LA?

Radio 4. There's no particular show I'm fond of, but I just like to have it on all the time.

Is it true that your fifties are the best decade of your life?

No! My favourite decades by far were my thirties and forties. You know so many answers, have more confidence and you still have the complete kit.

You often play bitches. Are you tough in real life?

I'm tough, but not hard. It's unfortunate, but you have to be that way as a woman. Men are criticised if they're not tough enough, but women get a lot of stick if they are.

Who was the bigger bitch: Alexis or Sable? Is it true that you and Joan Collins never got on?

Alexis was a bigger bitch, but Sable was more manipulative. There was absolutely no truth in the rumours that we didn't get on. Admittedly we're terribly different people, but Joan was always very welcoming.

What was it like working alongside Marlon Brando in The Nightcomers?

It was amazing. Marlon loathed the industry and hated Hollywood. We don't see each other, but we've spoken a lot over the years.

Do you still see any of your Dynasty/The Colbys co-stars?

I hear from Emma Samms [Fallon Colby] and was in touch with Charlton Heston [Jason Colby] until very recently. I saw Joan Collins at The Ivy just last week.

What was your most memorable outfit from Dynasty?

The one I borrowed and wore to the Oscars once, which got me into a list of the worst dressed guests. It was shocking pink and totally, utterly amazing.

Did you have to lose weight to star in Tenko?

I knew that not one person who'd survived the camp did so without losing at least 201b. So before I started I piled on weight, then I lost 201b. I went way down and was on the borders of anorexia when Stephanie Cole, one of the other actresses, interceded.

Who's been your favourite co-star of all time?

Charlton Heston - he's just a complete darling. He's always there to steady and catch. He was a wonderful co-star.

Are you a country or a city girl?

Show me no wet, green fields. I love the outdoors, but only when the weather is decent. I can't understand why people love the countryside when it's wet, cold, miserable and grey. It's day after day of bad hair days.

Describe yourself in five words.

Don't annoy me, I bite.

Are you seeing anyone at the moment? If not, would you ever consider dating a toy boy?

Yes, I'm seeing someone. I quietly decided that, while it might be for some people, youth is not for me.

Is it true that you once turned down a lucrative offer to appear in Playboy?

Yes, but I went on to appear in the magazine on my own terms. It was a stupid thing to do. They asked me after I'd done The Nightcomers [in1972], but I wasn't keen. Then, years later, I was in Jamaica and they asked again. I said: 'If Lichfield or Snowdon can be here tomorrow, I'll do it.' Lichfield jumped on a plane, but it caused me a great deal of annoyance because they didn't publish the photos until years later and it ruined a $1 million make-up deal I had in the pipeline.

Do you have a nickname?

My two-year-old grandson Jude calls me Glamma. His mother said I didn't look like a granny, I was more glamour. So we taught Jude to call me Glamma.

Would you ever consider plastic surgery?

If there was a way to get rid of the wrinkles on my neck other than with a bulldog clip, I'd consider it. But I don't think there is.

If you could have a dinner party with six fantasy guests (dead or alive), who would you invite and why?

Oh, let's have Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha, a great Hindu sage, a North American Indian shaman and then there's me. I think we could kick around a bit.

Which celebrity would you most like to be on a long-haul flight with?

I have no interest on being stuck on a long-haul flight with someone who's only been famous for 15 minutes. David Beckham's absolutely gorgeous, but I'm not sure he's got the conversation. He's young and absolutely divine, but I don't think I'd want to be stuck talking to him. I'd rather have a good old chat with Parky [Michael Parkinson]. I don't think I'm interested in being with someone self-absorbed - I much prefer to be taught chess by a master.

How would you like to be remembered?

Fondly!

PRIZE QUESTION: What's the best piece of advice your mother ever gave you?

My mother only gave me two pieces of advice. She told me that ladies don't take sugar in their tea and you never see a cat looking tired because they have cat naps. I do think the ability to have a nap for 20 minutes is extremely valuable. I think that a sleep at lunchtime does you far more good than a sticky pudding.