Penelope Cruz had to wear a false bottom for her new role because film chiefs decided she lacked curves report UK paper The Mirror.

They told the 31-year-old Spanish actress she needed a bigger behind to play a Sophia Loren-style housewife in "Returning" and so she was fitted with a custom-built bottom prosthesis for the movie.

A film spokesman says: "Penelope's role demanded voluptuousness. She needed more curves down below so we decided to fit her with a false bottom". Cruz apparently liked her new 'bum' so much she begged bosses to let her keep it.