Hawes has 'secret crush' on DCI Hunt

Ashes To Ashes star Keeley Hawes has admitted to having a secret crush on co-star Philip Glenister's character DCI Gene Hunt.

The actress, who plays DI Alex Drake on the BBC show, told Psychologies that she cannot help fancying Glenister's no-nonsense cop.

"When Philip Glenister goes into character and starts shouting his head off, [all the women on set] go, 'Oooooh!' Women's lib out the window. You want him to come and save you," she said.

Discussing her similarities to her own character, Hawes said: "She's strong and determined, which are qualities I share, I think. I wasn't always like that.

"She's a goer. She can hold her own in a man's world. She puts up with a lot of crap from the boys, especially DCI Gene Hunt."

Earlier this year, Glenister admitted that he had trouble "pinning down" why Hunt appeals to women.

Ashes To Ashes returns to BBC One later this year.