Joan Collins: 'I never aspired to become a Dame - I did not expect it in a billion years'

Joan Collins said today she had "never aspired" to become a Dame, describing the honour as something she did not expect in a "billion years".

The 81-year-old star said she had only ever set out to be a "jobbing actress" after receiving the accolade from the Prince of Wales today.

She was honoured for her charity work with organisations such as the NSPCC.

She teamed a white two-piece suit she had designed herself with a Philip Treacy hat for the ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

She told the BBC: "Not in a billion years did I think I would be made a dame. It wasn't anything I ever aspired to. I just wanted to be jobbing actress."

Dame Collins is famed for her roles in raunchy films such as The Stud and The Bitch.

More recently she has taken on parts in ITV comedy Benidorm and soap The Royals.

She was joined at the palace by her fifth husband Percy Gibson, as well as her daughter Tara and son Alexander.

Additional reporting by PA