Picture: REX Shutterstock)

Dame Helen Mirren is not shy to speak her mind.

The Oscar-winning actress has taken aim at men who sling their arm over their girlfriend’s shoulders because it looks like ‘ownership’.

In an interview with the Mail On Sunday’s You Magazine, Dame Helen compared women to ‘toddlers in this modern world’ in the sense they were were still ‘trying to find their position in the age of sexual liberation, birth control, education and financial independence.’

She also said that it irritated her to see men with an arm draped over their girlfriend’s shoulders.


MORE: Schoolboy is facing assault charges after he was dared to kiss a girl



‘It annoys me when I see men with an arm slung round their girlfriend’s shoulders,’ she said.

‘It’s like ownership. Of course, when you’re young, you want the guy to take your hand and look after you.’

Dame Helen has spoken at length about the perceived sexism of the US film industry, which she called ‘outrageous’.

Her comments follow a sexism row stemming from the networking site LinkedIn.

Lawyer Charlotte Proudman made headlines when she shamed Alexander Carter-Silk for calling her ‘stunning’ in a message.

MORE: Freezageddon: Britain could see worst winter in 50 years