Helen Mirren angers hometown residents

The Oscar-winning actor has drawn the ire of Leing-On-Sea's residents by referring to it as the 'armpit of the world'.

Actress Helen Mirren, who Monday won the best actress Oscar for "The Queen", has upset residents of her hometown Leing-On-Sea in England with her critical references to the place.

In an interview, she said she came "from a little place called Leigh-on-Sea...the armpit of the world". The residents are disappointed with Mirren's slur and are writing to the local newspaper in anger, reports contactmusic.com.

One letter said: "I, as a local resident, will no longer look kinder on the (one-time) much loved local girl."