Joan Collins pays tribute to Elizabeth Taylor

Joan Collins has paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, revealing that they had a lighthearted competition over marriages.

The Dynasty actress was speaking after Taylor's death from congestive heart failure at the age of 79 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Collins said: "The last time I got a divorce, she sent me a note and she said, 'I'm still ahead by three.' I sent one back saying, 'Don't worry Liz, I'm going to catch up.'

"I actually didn't call her Liz. I always called her Elizabeth because she didn't like being called Liz. But I think people have a huge amount of respect for her. And the thing that was so amazing about her is that most women really liked her."

In an appearance on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight, Collins also revealed that she was a fan of Taylor before meeting her, and used to keep pictures of the Cleopatra star in a scrapbook.

"I remember when I first saw her, everybody wanted to look like her. When I first saw her, when she did A Date with Judy when she was about 15, everybody - all my friends, all of us at school - we all wanted to look like her. We all wanted to have the big eyebrows and we all wanted to have the black hair and the beauty mark.

"She was phenomenal and I kept a scrapbook on her, which is why it was so fascinating for me a few years later in Hollywood to actually meet her at MGM in the make-up room, and she was so sweet.

"I think that's something that a lot of people didn't know about her. She liked a salty turn of phrase but then us English actresses always did do that."

Elizabeth Taylor's funeral will be held today, it has been reported.

> Obituary: Elizabeth Taylor
> In Video: Elizabeth Taylor's movie roles
> In Pictures: Elizabeth Taylor on screen
> Elizabeth Taylor: A Life In Pictures
> Elizabeth Taylor: Her life on TV
> Elizabeth Taylor on Hollywood, sex and marriage
> Ten Things About... Elizabeth Taylor