Courteney Cox refused to use a body double when she stripped off for her TV show Cougar Town - insisting the public needs to see "real" women over the age of 40.

The former Friends star takes on the saucy role of an older woman who becomes embroiled in affairs with much younger men in the series.

In one of the episodes, Cox's character shows off her stretch marks and arm fat and the actress insisted filming the scene herself - because she wants to highlight the body issues facing older women.

But the 45 year old admits the scene stunned many of her friends, especially her former co-star Jennifer Aniston.

She says, "I think it was an important thing to do. This show talks about real things and real experiences, so I think I had to. I know my friend Jennifer Aniston was shocked I did it.

"Some people may not want to show parts of them that are not the very best and that's alright. I decided to show, and I don't care. It was important to show the real side of being 40."

Cox reveals she puts a lot of effort into maintaining her body now she is in her mid-forties, adding, "I try really hard. I walk, I run, I do elliptical (cross-trainer), I do band work, weights and dance aerobics. I play tennis and I eat really well. But I was also lit very well. Don't mistake Hollywood lighting for reality!"