ONE of Ireland's most famous actors was once in a relationship with Hollywood star Helen Mirren and lived as a couple for four years.
Liam Neeson and Helen Mirren both appeared on the Graham Norton Show last week and spoke about their experience of working together on John Boorman's Excalibur in 1981.
Filmed at Ardmore Studios in Dublin, Neeson recalled a particular day when he was hanging around the set with longtime friend and co-star Ciaran Hinds.
One of the production staff asked the lads if they'd fancy meeting Helen Mirren, an opportunity to which they both said yes.
Neeson recalled: "I remember being on the set and standing with Ciaran Hinds as Helen walked towards us dressed in her full Morgana Le Fey costume.
"We both went, 'Oh, f***' and I was smitten.
“I think Ciaran was too but I was very smitten.”
Neeson and Mirren pictured together in 1984. (Picture: Hello magazine)So the young men were both clearly attracted to the Silent Witness icon, but just one of them went so far as to win her over.
Mirren revealed that both herself and Neeson were in a relationship back in the 1980's, even living together as a couple for four years.
Following their relationship, Neeson met Natasha Richardson, who would go on to become his wife in 1993.
Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson. (Picture: Getty Images)Richardson tragically died in a skiing accident in 2009.
Helen Mirren, on the other hand, is married to director Taylor Hackford.
