Emily Atack slams heartbreaking reaction to Rivals nude scene

has expressed her disappointment over online abuse on the back of her nude scene in the hit TV show Rivals.

In the show,, 34, is seen naked with two tennis balls carefully positioned to hide her merkin, a piece of material to hide her modesty. But online, the scene has been slowed down and shown as if she was completely naked in leaked footage. But the online version bares no similarity to the original production.

Speaking about the treatment she received by online trolls, she told : "I knew something like that would happen, just not this quickly. I’m at work, I’m playing a part, that scene is integral to the book. I am exactly where I need to be. I can’t control people’s sexually aggressive behaviour, but I can continue with my campaigning and fighting for women’s freedom."

She continued: "I should be able to do a scene like this and not receive negative attention. The two should not go hand in hand. A woman said to me on the other day, ‘Pick a lane. You can’t play a racy role like that and get your clothes off and expect not to get messages. Why would you role?’ And I wanted to say to her, ‘Are you telling me essentially to quit my job?’ Why should I? Women have to change their clothes; we have to change our routes home. I’m a professional. I’m never going to please everybody."

Emily recently took time out of acting ahead of the birth of her first child with partner Alistair Garner. But unlike some of her fellow stars who rush to bounce back to their pre-baby body, Emily is keen to take her time. However, while she refuses to jump on board faddy diets and hours in the gym, she revealed that she had exercised a bit ahead of filming the nude scene.

She told the publication: "But I did go in the run-up to the tennis scene. Squats, exercising, trying to get my body ready. I hate dieting and love pasta and wine." Emily made her name starring at Charlotte Hinchcliffe on the hit TV show between 2008 and 2010. But last month, it was revealed that the actress was snubbed from reunion talks of an upcoming film, which is yet to be confirmed.

And in 2011 and 2014, her character was nowhere to be seen as it simply focused on the antics of the lead characters. Talk of a reunion has been circulating for a while but most recently the lead characters made up of Simon Bird , Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison, have been forced to address the rumours.

But it seems no one has sent the memo to Emily. Capital Breakfast host Will Manning asked Emily if she would consider reprising her role if a reunion was to take place. And it was at this point she said: "Oh I haven’t heard about this, I don’t know. We’d all be quite a lot older now."

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