“Finally the answers to women’s prayers - a series that will tell us how to age and still look fabulous! We’ll be investigating wrinkles, sagging and all those other ageing nasties. Putting creams, surgery and the latest non-invasive beauty treatments to the test to find out what works and at what cost. It’s going to be a real treat working with Martine - she very much a ‘real woman’ that most of us can relate to and she’ll undoubtedly bring both fun and glamour to the series!”

Martine McCutcheon has revealed that she is “thrilled” with the success of ITV1’s sister shows Moving Wallpaper and Echo Beach.

The actress, who plays both Susan Penwarden and a neurotic version of herself, said bosses were more than happy with the programmes’ ratings.

She said: “I’m really thrilled and I know that ITV are really happy with it. Apparently they’re really happy with the audience that they’ve reached, which is a younger audience. I think they’re just waiting for it to go from strength to strength, hopefully.”

Speaking at the South Bank Show Awards, McCutcheon added that constructive criticism was appreciated, although she insisted that she had not read any reviews herself.

The 31-year-old said: “There’s always something that you can enhance on. There’s always something that you can do to make a show better and I’m sure the producers and ITV will take on board any relevant comments and make it work.”

She added that she is looking forward to shooting more scenes for soap Echo Beach, saying: “We just all want to film together again because we absolutely genuinely got on like a house on fire in Cornwall. I don’t think it’s ever been the same since we left.”

McCutcheon recently signed to front a week-long show dedicated to beauty and anti-aging.

I’ve updated the Echo Beach page with summaries for episodes six and seven and there’s one new promo shot in the gallery. Also, according to Amazon, Echo Beach is set to be released on DVD on March 24th 2008 and will be available on its own or as a boxset with mockumentary, Moving Wallpaper.

I’ve also started adding articles and interviews to the Press Archives so if you find anything worth posting there, please comment and let me know.

Martine McCutcheon is to front a week-long show dedicated to beauty and anti-aging.

The Echo Beach star will be joined by celebrity friends and women trying out the latest beauty treatments at an exclusive location in London.

Each episode of The Truth About Beauty will investigate a non-invasive way of combating the signs of aging, while four women will undergo a six-week challenge to look younger through diet and exercise in a segment called ‘Turn Back The Clock’.

The show will also see four women go under the knife in a bid to regain their looks, as well as look at women who have been voted ‘Icons of Aging’.

McCutcheon will visit Paris in search of beautiful women of all ages for another segment.

She said: “I’m really excited about this series. Like most girls I’m always reading about the latest lotions and potions and I’m looking forward to really getting under the skin of the beauty industry, to find out what actually works and what’s a waste of time and money.”

The programme, a collaboration between UKTV Style and Glamour magazine, is scheduled to begin filming in March.

It will premiere on UKTV Style next May.

Visit the gallery for more!

Martine McCutcheon has criticised the “brutal” nature of the Hollywood film industry.

The actress moved to the US in a bid for movie stardom after appearing in hit romantic comedy Love Actually in 2003.

However, despite winning a Best Transatlantic Breakthrough gong at the 2004 MTV Movie Awards, her dreams failed to materialise and she returned to the UK.

She told Closer: “Los Angeles is just brutal. Even Cameron Diaz is old hat. Once you do three movies, you’re over. I can see why people like Kate Winslet have said they like spending time in the UK - Los Angeles just isn’t the real world.”

She added: “Even though moving there wasn’t a godsend for my career, I got the chance to take stock - I grew up a lot in that year.”

The 31-year-old is currently starring in ITV1 sister shows Echo Beach and Moving Wallpaper.