DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - DENTON'S A SURPRISED SEX SYMBOL

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star JAMES DENTON has to work so hard to maintain his muscular physique, he wishes he'd landed the role of MIKE DELFINO when he was 10-years younger.

The 42-year-old feared his chances of playing a sex symbol had evaporated when he turned 40, and he's still shocked he's made the transition from bad guy to heart-throb so late in his career.

However, all his hard work in the gym has paid off - because he's becoming the new GEORGE CLOONEY.

Denton says, "I thought my window of hunkiness had closed and I never imagined I'd be playing that kind of character at my age - but I'm certainly enjoying it.

"The role presents a number of different challenges for a guy my age and I'm under a lot of pressure to look good. I immediately went to the gym and worked my guts out. I'm always questioning why I didn't get a role like this in my 30s. It's such hard work now.

"I've made my career playing bad guys, so this is quite different for me. Of course, I'm flattered to be compared to George Clooney - it's a massive compliment."