Joan Collins has revealed that tensions between her and her Dynasty co-star John Forsythe became so great they did not speak for an entire season.
Collins went so far as to ask for a body double for a scene in which he had to strangle her.
The Hollywood actress starred as Alexis Colby in the US soap opera, which brought her critical acclaim and earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 1982, and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1984.
Collins played Colby, the scheming ex-wife of oil magnate Blake Carrington, played by the late Forsythe. Co-star Linda Evans portrayed his new wife, Krystle.
Speaking on a Christmas episode of The Graham Norton Show, the 88-year-old actress said: "I was in my 40s when I got the role, Linda was in her 30s, and John was 62, but the press would go on about us as older women and never mentioned John's age.
"There was so much ageism in Hollywood, so I'd bring it up in interviews and Mr Forsythe didn't like it.
"Then, when I accepted the People's Choice Award before he could, he refused to speak and walked offstage.
"He didn't speak to me for a whole season after that, and when I had to do a scene where he was supposed to try and strangle me, I insisted on having a stand-in."
The soap opera was on the air from 1981 to 1989, and in that time it won many awards, including the infamous People's Choice Award in 1986 for Favourite Drama that Collins referred to.
The actress has also taken part in a new BBC documentary, This Is Joan Collins, where cameras go into her home.
Collins said: "I was asked to do it several times before, but I would only do it if I could be in control and I didn't want talking heads.
"There are interesting things in it because I met so many fascinating people.
"Some people think I am grand, but I am not, and you see me as I am. It's very down to earth. I've seen it and it's very entertaining."
The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One Northern Ireland tonight at 11:05pm.
Source: Press Association
