When she won the part of Gabby in Naked Truth, the first thing Lucy Rusedski had to do was an intensive course in the latest fitness craze.

"It's not something I'd done before and it's exhausting – really hard work," she said. "But it's a great form of exercise. I would keep it up after the tour if I was going with a group of girl friends.

"It's such good exercise and with the music pumping, it's really good fun."

The Naked Truth played Worthing last year but this time round it's an all-new cast apart from Lisa Riley, of Emmerdale and You've Been Framed.

Joining Lisa and Lucy are Julie Buckfield (Grange Hill, Hollyoaks), Gemma Wardle (Family Affairs, Life on Mars), Samantha Seager and Jayne Tunnicliffe (both Coronation Street).

Lucy plays the teacher in a pole dancing class in a play about six women "from different walks of life and of different shapes and sizes" who end up working towards a charity show.

"As they learn to pole dance, we learn more about each character," said Lucy. "One of the girls has breast cancer and that draws the girls together.

"She opens up and tells us about her suffering, how it's affecting her husband, family and relationships with people, and then all the other girls open up.

"My character is a single parent who has been working in the clubs of south London.

"Some people might have a stereotyped image of a pole dancer but the play lightens that and it's handled in a fun way.

"The show has people laughing and crying."
Pole dancing is not without its dangers, though, and Lucy said they were all black and blue when they started learning.

"I was covered in bruises but no-one has fallen off so far. I wear ridiculously high heels too.

"It is difficult when we start at a new venue as the poles are slippery. Sometimes you can't do the moves."

Touring has been quite a family affair for Lucy, as her husband Greg, the retired tennis player, and their daughter Scarlett have been travelling the country with her.

"Greg decided to take a break so we became a travelling family," Lucy said.

Lucy, who worked with Bridge Theatre company and toured for theatre and education, graduated from Mountview Theatre School with a degree in performing arts and then married Greg, so decided to tour the tennis circuit with him. "Sports players can have a short shelf life due to injuries," she said.

Unable to take up theatre work, she went straight into presenting, including Wimbledon in 2004, BBC Breakfast, the reality show Get Me To The Church On Time for Sky One and, more recently, The One Show and Five's Trust Me I'm a Holiday Rep.

When Greg retired from professional tennis last year, Lucy went back to what she loves – the theatre.

And she said The Naked Truth was one of the highlights of her career so far. "It's a challenge as I had to train to be a pole dancer – to learn
a skill makes it much more interesting."

She's planning a holiday once the tour finishes in July but would love to do more TV work and theatre.

"I love to work," she said. "Any actor would say they love just to be kept in work doing what they love."

And for those who want an update on Greg, he'll be commentating for Queens and Wimbledon this summer and working with children with the Lawn Tennis Association, finding new British talent on the tennis courts.

Suitable for ages 16 plus, with some strong language, The Naked Truth, from David Simpson, the acclaimed writer of Girls' Night Out, is at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre from May 19 to 21 at 8pm.

Tickets are £18 to £20 from the box office on 01903 206206 or visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

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