But as she relaxed on an Italian beach this week with daughter Daisy during the Ischia film and music festival, it was clear the statuesque actress, 43, was back to a healthy-looking shape and looking great in a bikini.

Earlier this year the Nip/Tuck star was “infuriated” by suggestions that her weight loss was due to an eating disorder. She blamed illness, then a  vigorous exercise regime.

Vanessa Redgrave’s daughter insisted: “I’d had a hernia operation, which had quite a long recovery period, coupled with really bad flu, so I probably did lose about 10 pounds.”

When she recovered she began exercising five times a week. “I wanted to be stronger, to have more energy,” she added.

Good to see you back to normal again, Joely.