People are scared of saying wrong thing, says Stephanie Beecham

While the 76-year-old says it’s not so much of a problem for “old broads like me”, she believes political correctness means you can no longer say what you feel without facing a broadside of hatred.

Stephanie, who starred in prison drama Tenko before taking a leading role in Dynasty and spin-off The Colbys, spoke to the Sunday Express at the recent Best Heroes Awards in London.

After a career spanning several decades, she shows no sign of slowing down. Her new film Grey Matter – based on someone suffering from Alzheimer’s – is due for release.

But despite her longevity, she still finds the modern world a minefield.

And asked if she believed society had taken political correctness too far, she said: “Yes. I find it very muddling. What I really find difficult is you can’t actually express yourself in what you feel without having so many hates come at you, and that everybody’s gone undercover."

“In the past couple of years I do think it’s gone too far, with people being able to be so critical of others while hiding behind their computers. "

“If you, as an open person, want to say something about somebody else, be brave enough to say it. But the fact that people behind screens can say such things I think is very worrying, for the honesty of young people particularly.”

She also said she feared younger generations were living in fear of saying the wrong thing.

Asked if it meant walking on eggshells, she joked: “Not old broads like me but, yes, I see that.”

Grey Matter, set for release next year, focuses on a troubled teenager who discovers her grandmother Peg, played by Stephanie, has Alzheimer’s.

The former Coronation Street star, famed for her glamorous looks, said she was very proud of the movie: “It is very emotional and such a delight for me – it focuses on something that hits many families and I don’t wear false eyelashes.”

She said of the grittier part: “It was such a joy! I didn’t miss the makeup chair – not for one minute, it was refreshing, yes.”

She said the role also proved there is life for older actresses at the highest level of the profession.

She explained: “It is a relief to be playing older roles. There is a whole range of parts now open to me and I am relishing the idea of it.”

While she said she was open to a part in an action movie – provided she could just “be bossy in an office” rather than leaping off buildings – she did rule out a return to her Dynasty days.

The lavish productions, she explained, simply wouldn’t be commissioned today.

She said: “I think that ship has sailed. They wouldn’t spend that much money on the costumes."

“That was an extravagance. I know that they are spending a lot on CGI but we were treated like royalty with amazing stuff we wanted to wear."

“I definitely wore about £10,000 an episode."

“Can you imagine spending that now on costumes?"

“You could borrow any darn thing you wanted, just dump it back in a plastic bag the next day. I miss those borrowings, those times. I relish them. Dynasty was of its time.”

As for any role models today Stephanie said it was anyone trying their best in a difficult world.

She said: “Anyone who is selfless and not selfish at the moment.

“This is the most extraordinary time in history – those people that can manage to say I am going to help who I can, I just say hats off, because everybody is running for cover at the moment."

“We’ve got to be open, we have got to keep dialogue open. Charity is important to all of us."

“It is said by many religions you give away one tenth – a tithe – and I kind of believe in that.”

Seen as an icon of 1980s television and a rival to Dallas, Dynasty aired from January 1981 to May 1989. It revolved around the rich Denver family the Carringtons.