'Oaks actress makes airbrushing stand

Hollyoaks star Nathalie Emmanuel has spoken out against the use of airbrushing in the entertainment industry.

The 21-year-old actress, who plays Sasha Valentine on the Channel 4 soap, called for magazines to be honest with readers when pictures are adjusted, arguing that such a move would avoid adversely affecting the confidence of ordinary women.

Discussing her feelings on the matter, Emmanuel commented: "For the sake of the self-esteem of young girls, there needs to be an honesty with pictures. I don't want my pictures airbrushed because I want pictures of me to be real.

"I'm not perfect and there are one or two things I would like to change, but my skin is a product of healthy eating and exercise, so hopefully the pictures will reflect that and I can encourage girls to have a more healthy lifestyle.

"It's important that girls are told of any airbrushing on pictures as we need girls to have a realistic view of what can be achieved with make-up, etc."

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Emmanuel is to be written out of Hollyoaks at the end of her current contract.