Jonathan Ross interviews Dame Helen Mirren

21 September 2007 - Jonathan also welcomes to the show British theatre royalty, Dame Helen Mirren, in her first interview since her latest Emmy triumph earlier this week (for her role in the last Prime Suspect).

Talking about the extraordinary success of her Oscar-winning performance in The Queen, she says: "I never thought ever that I'd win an Oscar ...

I think it's all a bit of a crap shoot ... the whole awards thing is becoming a marketing tool so it doesn't really mean anything. The important thing is survival."

And she had to say no to an invite to the Palace: "I was very graciously invited to dinner which unfortunately I couldn't do.

I was filming in South Dakota, couldn't shut production down, so very regretfully I had to say no."

And on possibly taking on the role of Margaret Thatcher: "No, I wouldn't play her. I'm not an impersonator.

 It's a great role, but the difficult thing would be to find a story within her story."

Tonight's line-up also includes Hollywood star Christian Slater, returning to the West End next month in Swimming With Sharks; and there's music from Swedish rockers The Hives performing Tick Tick Boom live in the studio.

Friday Night With Jonathan Ross is a Hotsauce TV production for BBC One. Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, 10.35pm, Friday 21 September 2007, BBC One