Kathy Bates 'flattered' by outcry over her 'misunderstood' retirement claims

Kathy Bates was "flattered" at the outcry when she mistakenly announced her retirement plans.

The 76-year-old acress caused some confusion in recent weeks when claimed that her latest starring role in the remake of 1980s legal drama 'Matlock' would be her swan song but has now insisted that she only meant that if the programme continues to run for almost a decade.

She told 'Entertainment Tonight': "We'll see...as long as the swan sails for another eight years or so. I think it was kind of a misunderstanding, but I was very flattered that everybody upset. My friend from France said 'I'm getting calls from everybody!' But we're having so much fun, the chemistry is so great."

The 'Misery' star - who has earned an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards during her dazzling career - stars alongside Skye P. Marshall in the upcoming series and is finding that the whole project to be a rewarding challenge.

She told Variety: "I can’t believe I’m saying that about doing episodic TV, but this has been so much of a challenge and a delight.

“Matty is certainly my magic carpet right now, and I want her to go sailing on for quite a long time.”

The 'Titanic' actress admitted her friends can't see her stopping working.

She added: "My friends say I’ll probably be like Molière and die in my chair on the stage, because it really is a life force for me.”

The veteran actress had declared 'Matlock' to be her "last dance" earlier this week.

She told The New York Times newspaper: “Everything I’ve prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it.

“And it’s exhausting.

“This is my last dance."