JERI RYAN - RYAN'S SON USES THE OC TO HIS ADVANTAGE

Actress JERI RYAN's 11-year-old son ALEX is thrilled his mother has landed a role in hit TV show THE OC - because it's boosted his popularity with girls.

The sexy actress has signed up to appear as recovering alcoholic CHARLOTTE in the upcoming third season of the series, and she admits her "girl crazy" offspring is already using her new job to his advantage.

She says, "The girls in his class watch it. So this makes him look cooler with the chicks.

"When he was a toddler and saw a girl, he would suddenly become Mr Cool and Slick. He'd put his hands in his pockets and start checking her out."