AS Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks, Bury’s Gemma Atkinson became one of TV's sexiest rising stars.

And after she left the show, regular appearances in lads’ mags certainly kept her in the spotlight.

But now Gemma is making her debut in a leading role in a theatre production — and she has some pretty big shoes to fill.

Gemma will be playing Cecilia in the touring production of Calendar Girls, taking over the role that has previously been played by Jerry Hall and Kelly Brook.

Gemma was originally cast in a small part in the sell-out West End version of the show as Elaine the beautician.

And the down-to-earth 25-year-old was thrilled to be offered the bigger part when the show went on tour.

“Playing Elaine was my chance to prove myself,” she says. “I’ve done panto in the past but that’s a lot more laid back, if you make a mistake you just laugh about it. This is much more difficult!”

And it seems the promotional pictures are causing something of a stir — Manchester City Council objected that the pictures were too risque.

“Well it’s a line from the play — ‘I think we’re going to need bigger buns!’” she laughs. “I did suggest to the photographer when we were shooting the pictures that a couple of Victoria sponges might be better, but the director was adamant. I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone, but I’m sure they’ll get over it!”

However, she says anyone going to the play hoping to see lots of naked ladies frolicking around will be disappointed.

“You don’t really see anything, it’s all very tongue in cheek,” she says. “The first night was petrifying though, we all come out in dressing gowns and mine’s silk — I was terrified it was going to slip or gape.”

She says that backstage all the actresses — she is joined onstage by Lynda Bellingham, Judith Barker, Letitia Dean, Jan Harvey and Hannah Waterman — all geed each other up.

“It’s been brilliant,” she says. “The cast is a fantastic bunch of girls and I’ve learned so much.”

And with a couple of films set for release this year, Gemma says now she hopes to do some more television work — although her plans are markedly different to what she has done before.

“I’d love to do a period drama or something set in the 1940s,” she says. “I watch them all the time and I love them.”

• Calendar Girls opens at the Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays, on Tuesday, February 9. Tickets cost £15 - £27. To book, visit thelowry.com or ring 0843 208 6000.