Olivia Colman has spoken about her body image and having panic attacks on the red carpet in a frank new interview in US Vogue stating, “if someone doesn’t like me because of the size of my bum, they can f*** off”. 

The award-winning actor spoke of her struggles with self-acceptance, stating that she can never be a “perfect person” and cites age and wisdom as factors in reaching a more content place within herself.

“Over the years, pounds have gone on, and my body has changed; I’ve had children,” she says. 

“If someone doesn’t like me because of the size of my bum, they can f*** off. Because I’m quite a nice person to be with, actually.”

The multi-faceted star of The Favourite described her experience of being in a steam room with two “big women, who sat there, hot and sweaty, so beautiful – I felt like they were almost goddesses. I want that confidence,” she said. 

Colman, who found widespread acclaim in the comedy series Peep Show, also spoke of her terror of theatrical performances and the red carpet and how she suffers from panic attacks and a dry mouth. “The fear manifested itself as adrenaline before, but now it’s just fear,” she admitted. 

The Broadchurch actor credits wearing a Stella McCartney gown at the Venice Film Festival – “a glorious flowing ensemble with a trailing cape” – as a breakthrough moment for her confidence. “I felt, I can do this, I can do this,” she says. “I’d always used clothes as a sort of mask. I discovered that they can make you feel strong and powerful.”

The interview is accompanied by a series of glamourous photographs of Colman shot by legendary photographer, Annie Leibowitz. 

 The Academy Award winning actor also appears in Vogue’s 73 questions video series, where viewers learn that the fashion trend she regrets trying is boob tubes, that her favourite James Bond is Daniel Craig and that the item of clothing she would never part with is “my biggest, comfiest pants – and it would be weird to give them away”.

When asked if there’s any particular cause she’d like to get behind, she replies, “I would like all children to have relationship classes in schools” and she cites major discussions about equality as the main change she’s witnessed in the acting industry – “although we’re not there yet,” she adds.  

Colman, who is due to succeed Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown, will make her first appearance in the hit show on 17 November