Bonham Carter: Cinderella is amazing

Helena Bonham Carter says Cinderella is a story that is “meant to be retold”.

The 48-year-old actress stars as the Fairy Godmother in Kenneth Branagh’s new version of the fairytale classic.

But as she attended the London premiere of the movie on Thursday night, Helena said she was worried before seeing the film that it would end up being “boring”.

"I was really scared that it was gong to be such a cliche and really boring,” Helena told the Daily Mirror. “I said, 'What there's no take on it? No twist?' Because Cinderella is a story that's been told a hundred times and everyone knows what's going to happen.”

The movie also stars Lily James as Cinderella and Richard Madden as Prince Charming. And having now seen the final version of the film, Helena has reevaluated her opinion.

"Having seen it I'm amazed and it does work, which is testament to, one - the story is such a classic and was meant to be retold,” she said. “And also he's very clever Ken. It could have failed on so many levels and been really naff. But I think all the characters work because they're not stereotypes."

Helena also opened up about the controversy surrounding co-star Lily’s tiny waist in her blue ballgown in the film.

Lily has insisted the dress was designed to highlight her waist and it was not photoshopped to look slimmer.

"Lily does have a tiny waist,” Helena said. “They didn't make it tinier than it is, she just has.

"But if it's a working corset then you make it work for you. A corset can be very comfy, as long as you don't breathe in when they're fitting it.

"Don't be vain at six o'clock in the morning, be the opposite. Breathe out, and then you'll be fine."