"I'm middle-aged... and no amount of plastic surgery can hide that fact", says actress Amanda Donohoe

It is a memory as vivid as the vibrant colours of a Matisse. British actress Amanda Donohoe, then at the peak of her Hollywood career, found herself in Robert De Niro’s bathroom during a party at the star’s house and was astonished to discover that the walls were lined with works by the great French artist as well as some by Picasso.

The sight of an undoubtedly priceless collection of art brought home to Amanda her incredible success: ‘The full realisation of where I was just hit me,’ she says, smiling.

‘I thought, “What am I doing here? This is mad, this is wild.” It was such a lifetime ago that now it sometimes feels like a dream.’

Quiet life: A relaxed Amanda Donohoe is happy with who she is and what she has achieved

Former flames: Amanda Donohoe with Nick Broomfield, left, and Eighties pop star Adam Ant, right

Hollywood fame: With her co-star Oliver Reed in the notorious movie Castaway

The controversial movie involved a lot of naked frolicking on the beach but Amanda was cast in numerous other moives afterwards

Party time: Amanda, second from right, who played Cara Jean Lamb in TV programme LA Law celebrating the 100th episode

Big name: Amanda's star was ready to rise and ended up starring in numerous big movie films such as Wild About Harry with Brendan Gleeson

Red carpet glamour: Amanda at the British Academy Television Awards in 2004