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Suranne Jones has revealed a sex guru helped her overcome her nerves at filming lesbian romps for her new drama, Gentleman Jack.

The Doctor Foster actress, 40, said show writer Sally Wainwright hired ­intimacy co-ordinator Ita O’Brien to give advice on how to behave convincingly.

She said: “I was quite nervous about the sex scenes we had to do, because I thought they should be approached as sensitively as they could be.

“One of the great things she brought was an articulacy – we could talk about the scenes.

"She just started talking about body parts and positions in a matter of fact way, which just liberated us all.

(Image: BBC) (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

“As well as helping us sculpt the sex scenes, the positions, she’s also there to provide support to the artists.”

O’Brien advises that sex scenes are carefully worked out in advance, saying: “Fight scenes in films are carefully ­choreographed and rehearsed. Sex scenes should be the same.”

In the BBC1 drama, based on a true story, ex-Corrie star Suranne plays lead Anne Lister, “Britain’s first modern lesbian”.

(Image: Drama Republic)

The landowner has relationships with several women before meeting her great love, Anne Walker.

Speaking at a screening of the eight-parter in the US, Suranne added of O’Brien’s input: “We all discussed the different kind of relationships she had. It’s about a loving relationship that develops between the two of them. That’s how to tell a story rather than titillation.”

The action is set in 1831 Halifax as Lister sets about restoring her ancestral home, Shibden Hall. She knows she must find a suitable partner but plans to wed a woman – one who is seriously wealthy.

Gentleman Jack starts later this month on Sundays.