Hollywood hellraiser Helen 'I GOT AWAY WITH IT!'

The daring dame reveals how she's taking charge – even of a wild bear!

Helen Mirren is nothing if not cheeky. The 76-year-old actress stood on stage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in LA on February 28 looking radiant in her pastel pink frock, complete with matching headband, to accept a gong for her lifetime of achievement.

“I suppose I'm still alive, so by that measure I'm eligible,” quipped the acting legend. “But honestly, any achievement that I've succeeded in is the result of my mantra, which is basically to be on time... and don't be an ass.”

The Fast & Furious star then sparkled with naughtiness as she exaggeratedly mouthed the word "hole", making the audience break into fits of laughter.

It's no secret that Helen has the kind of chutzpah that makes fans fall in love with her every time she steps into a new role.

Even in her private life, she doesn't exactly fade into the background - like the time last year when an enormous black bear ambled up to the door of the ranch she shares with her husband Taylor Hackford at Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

While most mere mortals would have dived under the nearest couch and prayed that it left of its own accord, Helen chose a more direct option, banging on the window and yelling, “No, you can't do that. Oi! You can't come on here. Go on there, naughty bear!”

The 200kg creature seemed to realise it was in the presence of greatness and lumbered back off into the wilderness.

It's a surprise, therefore, when the actress confides that even now, after a stellar career in theatre, film and TV spanning more than 50 years, that she suffers from imposter syndrome.

"I think of myself as still being the way I was in my mind, in my body, through my 20s, 30s and 40s, struggling, ambitious, frustrated and self-critical," shares Helen, who has an Oscar, five SAG awards, three Golden Globes and four Emmys to her name.