Dame Julie Andrews has said she thinks she avoided harassment in the showbiz industry because people had such respect for her husband.

The Sound Of Music star, 84, was married to filmmaker Blake Edwards from 1969 until his death in 2010.

Dame Julie told Radio Times magazine that she has never experienced the sort of harassment that led to the #MeToo movement.

Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews
Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews (PA)

“I understand #MeToo very well,” she said.

“It’s an important development and it should be recognised.”

The actress said “a lot of things that were done in the old days were done not consciously, but they have to be changed today”.

She continued: “I was very fortunate I didn’t have any harassment in the business because, happily, I was married to Blake who was highly respected and I don’t think people thought to bother with me.

“I started working with him fairly early, so I didn’t have any of that to deal with.”

She added: “That said, I’m all for equal pay and respect for women, all the things the #MeToo movement stands for, and I think it will eventually shake into a newer respect for all the right things.

“It’s happening.”

This week’s Radio Times is out on Tuesday.