THANDIE NEWTON - THANDIE SLAMS SLEAZY DUIGAN

CRASH beauty THANDIE NEWTON has slammed Hollywood director JOHN DUIGAN for seducing her when she was just 16.

Duigan was 41 when Newton starred in his film, FLIRTING alongside NICOLE KIDMAN, and was bewitched by his promises of stardom.

But Newton suffered a nervous breakdown and a life-threatening eating disorder after their relationship turned sour.

Now she's determined to look to the future, but confesses she is still terrified of bumping into her ex-lover.

She says, "I was hooked like a fish, trying to swim away and being tugged back. I think the film business is a really dangerous place for young people. It's about exploitation.

"I'm not angry with him anymore. That person means absolutely nothing to me now and I would go to great lengths to avoid him. I just feel very fortunate that I've come through all that."