Actress Helena Bonham Carter says Britain can keep its “sense of identity” within the European Union (EU) after voicing her support for the Remain campaign.

The British star said her family’s European history had influenced her thinking ahead of the June 23 referendum after she signed an open letter backing a Remain vote with dozens of famous figures.

“Generally I want us to stay in,” she told the Press Association

Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter (Jonathan Brady / PA

“I’m European so much in my blood. My mother’s half French, half Spanish.

“I feel European but I also feel we can be British and be part of Europe, without it impinging on our sense of identity.”

The signatories, who also included Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Patrick Stewart, Bill Nighy and Keira Knightley, said that being part of the EU “bolsters Britain’s leading role on the world stage” and warned that Brexit would leave the country “an outsider shouting from the wings”.

Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter (Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)

Helena had previously joined more than 200 public figures in signing a letter which called for Scotland to stay part of the United Kingdom in 2014.

Speaking ahead of the release of Alice Through The Looking Glass, in which she plays the Red Queen, the actress also revealed her 12-year-old son Billy had been “terrified” of his godfather Johnny Depp, while her eight-year-old daughter Nell “burst into tears” after first meeting the Hollywood star.

“Billy is always terrified of (Depp), that is very funny,” Helena said. “Nell doesn’t really have any time for him. Billy is only finally starting to talk to him.

Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire)

“He’s always looked completely scary. Nell met him as the Mad Hatter. She was just this great big round baby. She burst into tears.

“It’s taken them years to work out he’s actually approachable. When he comes in his normal look, they’re beginning to have conversations.”

Meanwhile, Helena, who turns 50 on Thursday, said she was “bored” with feeling ashamed of getting older.

“I’m determined to be like, ‘I’m 50 and proud of it’”, she said. “A bit like my eight year old who is going to be so proud to be nine. What is it with us that we stop wearing our badges?

“I’m not going to get depressed about ageing because the alternative is worse isn’t it? We don’t have any choice.”

Alice Through The Looking Glass is released in UK cinemas on May 27.