Hayley Atwell has revealed the unusual Christmas gift Tom Cruise once gave her, while praising her Mission: Impossible 8 co-star’s generosity.

The actress, 43, has worked alongside Tom, 62, on the last two Mission: Impossible films, and they have built a close friendship over the years.

Appearing on Heart Radio with Pandora Christie on Thursday, Hayley opened up about their strong bond and her excitement for their upcoming film.

Giving a peek into her off-screen bond with the Hollywood star, she shared that he’s great when it comes to gift-giving.

She said: ‘He (Tom) did give my grandmother a lift in a helicopter on Christmas Eve at sunset a few years ago. And that was a great gift that he gave me.’

‘Was that just a surprise? Did you know so had you planned it?’ Pandora asked.

From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail’s new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.

Hayley Atwell has revealed the unusual Christmas gift Tom Cruise once gave her grandmother, while praising her Mission: Impossible 8 co-star’s generosity during an appearance on Heart Radio on Thursday

The actress, 43, has worked alongside Tom, 62, on the last two Mission: Impossible films, and the two have built a close friendship over the years (pictured together at the NYC premiere of Mission: Impossible 8)

Hayley explained: ‘I knew but she didn’t. And I took her to this heliport where there’s café beside it, she didn’t know, and I said, ”oh look there’s a helipad out there.” And she went ”oh you wouldn’t get me on a helicopter, oh no, it’s very dangerous”.

‘And we were just having a cup of tea and then all of a sudden Tom Cruise walks round the corner and goes ”hi.”

‘And my grandma she was just amazing she goes ”hiya” like she’d known him for years just ‘hiya darling, you alright?’ and gives him a big hug. 

‘And he goes ”are ready to go on a helicopter with me?” and she just went ”yep!”

‘She puts down the walking stick, marches into the helicopter, sits down in the back and takes it all in. 

‘He was so kind and gentle and explained everything that was happening, what every feeling or sensation was, with a description of every sort of technical aspect of it. It was beautiful and so peaceful. 

‘And to be in the helicopter with her over London and seeing the city from that view and just seeing the look on her face and knowing that was a huge gift for me, I think. And what it meant for her was just a testament to how generous he is as a man.’

‘You’ve got a friend for life there, you really have,’ Pandora said before Hayley simply added: ‘Yeah.’

It comes after Hayley and Tom shared an affectionate moment at the New York premiere of Mission: Impossible 8 on Sunday evening – amid his fresh romance with Ana de Armas

The long-term co-stars shared a moment together after joining cast and crew on the red carpet outside the city’s Lincoln Center

Read More Hayley Atwell shares an affectionate moment with leading man Tom Cruise

The close friends sweetly shared an affectionate moment at the New York premiere of Mission: Impossible 8 on Sunday evening.

The long-term co-stars shared a moment together after joining cast and crew on the red carpet outside the city’s Lincoln Center.

Hayley appeared to squeeze Tom’s shoulder as they leaned in for a private exchange during the latest in a series of red carpet premieres that began on May 14 in Cannes.

The co-stars were widely thought to have been romantically involved prior to her relationship with and subsequent engagement to music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly.

Tom is now dating actress Ana de Armas, who has been notably absent during his whirlwind promotional campaign on behalf of the new film.

Hayley previously played down claims of a former romance with Tom, admitting he was more like an ‘uncle’.

‘Why are things being ᴀssumed or projected onto me about my relationship with my work colleague and boss?’ she told The Independent.

‘It’s involving people in my actual life, my personal life, who have to be on the receiving end of that. It becomes invasive.’

Listen to Heart with Pandora Christie weekdays from 10:00 – 13:00 across the UK and on Global Player.