Lily James gushes over her ‘amazing’ and ‘perfect’ on-screen mum Emma Thompson

Lily James has joked she will need to apologies to her real parents after gushing over on-screen mum Emma Thompson.

The actress, 33, who stars in new movie What’s Love Got To Do With It? with the Oscar winner, was speaking on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Friday.

She laughed: ‘I keep saying how [Emma] is the best mum ever, but then I’m like sorry mum – real mum – you’re better!’.

‘But Emma Thompson is a great acting mum, she’s just a dream and so generous and kind and hilarious , and she plays such a hilarious role in this film’. 

The film follows Lily’s character, a documentary filmmaker named Zoe, who navigates the modern dating scene with little success, much to the dismay of outspoken mum Cath (Emma).

On-screen mum: She laughed: ‘I keep saying how [Emma] is the best mum ever, but then I’m like sorry mum – real mum -you’re better!’ (Emma pictured at the movie’s premiere)

Lily cut a stylish figure for her early morning radio appearance in a long black leather coat and chic shades. 

She layered the jacket over a white sweater and trousers and completed the look with colour co-ordinating trainers.

Lily opted for a natural make-up look and slicked back her dark locks, accessorising with a selection of gold jewellery. 

She toted her essentials in a stylish duck egg handbag and stopped to sign autographs for waiting fans. 

Lily also features as a guest vocalist on a brand new track for her the much anticipated movie.

Earlier this month she gushed that it was ‘an absolute pleasure’ as she took to the recording studio with record producer Naughty Boy, real name Shahid Khan.

The song Mahi Sona (The Wedding Song) written by the producer and actress Preeya Kalidas especially for the movie will be available in three versions which are out now. 

The first features Lily alongside legendary Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, superstar Indian singer Kanika Kapoor, rapper Billy Khan. Another with Brit Award nominee Joy Crookes and the third without features.

Style: Lily cut a stylish figure for her early morning radio appearance in a long black leather coat and chic shades

Strut: She completed the look with colour co-ordinating trainers

Mum! Lily said: ‘But Emma Thompson is a great acting mum, she’s just a dream and so generous and kind and hilarious , and she plays such a hilarious role in this film’ (pictured with mum Ninette Thomson in 2018)

Lily, who plays Zoe in the movie, said: ‘It was an absolute pleasure working in the studio with both  [composer] Nitin [Sawhney] and Naughty Boy. Music plays a huge part in the film, and I’m thrilled to contribute to this amazing single alongside some incredible artists’ 

Lily has showcased her impressive vocals in the past in Mama Mia 2: Here We Go Again as well as Cinderella. 

The film follows her character as Kazim (Shazad Latif) her childhood friend and neighbour, decides to follow in his parents’ footsteps and pursue an arranged marriage with a beautiful and savvy bride from Pakistan.

As Zoe documents Kazim’s journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger chosen by his parents, she begins to question whether the traditional approach to finding love might have something to offer. 

Speaking about his involvement in the project Naughty Boy said: ‘My parents are Pakistani, I was born here, I spent much of my teenage years thinking about opting for an arranged marriage’.

Natural beauty: Lily opted for a natural make-up look and slicked back her dark locks, accessorising with a selection of gold jewellery

Beaming: Lily appeared in great spirits despite the early hour

Fans: She toted her essentials in a stylish duck egg handbag and stopped to sign autographs for waiting fans

Film: The film follows Lily’s character, a documentary filmmaker named Zoe, who navigates the modern dating scene with little success, much to the dismay of outspoken mum Cath played by Emma (Lily pictured in the movie with co-star Shazad Latif)

‘Coming from the same background as Kaz I wanted to do the track justice. The film has this fusion of Pakistani and English culture which was exciting.’  

What’s Love Got To Do With It? was written and produced by British filmmaker Jemima Khan, and is largely inspired from her life and experiences in Pakistan where she lived for ten years with her then husband, cricket legend and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.

The film is directed by Shekhar Kapur, a fellow Pakistani filmmaker, known for the