Emma Thompson was stunned when her daughter told her she was too old to have blonde hair.

The 'Nanny McPhee' actress recently dyed her tresses from brunette and while she likes them, 10-year-old Gaia wasn't impressed.

The 50-year-old star - who is married to actor Greg Wise - said: "She says, 'It's got to go,' and I say, 'Look Gaia, I am only 50, I will get rid of it when I'm a bit older,' and she says, 'You are too old for blonde hair, mum.' "

However, Emma is adamant the blonde tresses will stay but admits there will come a point when she can no longer carry off the look.

She told Woman and Home magazine: "When I am about 60 I will just shave my hair off and go salt and pepper. You can't have blonde hair at the age of 60."

The 'Love Actually' star has previously admitted she likes getting older because she feels more relaxed about her career.

She said: "I feel that my age and station give me a certain amount of leg room. I'm not cramped by fear of failure or I think it would be good to fail.

"I've done it spectacularly from time to time. I think it's a help getting older because you worry so much less about that."