Hollywood actress Penelope Cruz was forced to wear a prosthetic bottom for her role in Volver - but was "relieved" to hear Dame Helen Mirren had suffered the same fate for The Queen.

And although Spanish beauty Cruz felt she was in good company with fellow rear padding-wearer Mirren, she admits most American actresses wouldn't consider a role which would add extra curves to their svelte frames.

She says, "I was talking to Helen the other day and she said she had to have a false backside fitted in order to do The Queen.

"Americans are really surprised to hear that an actress would accept being seen with a big backside."