DESPERATE Housewives star Teri Hatcher has admitted she considered hiring a male prostitute. The star, who has just turned 40, confessed she is often too busy to date and has to rely on sex toys.

And in a frank interview, she said she has given serious thought to paying a gigolo. Teri said: "You know, I once thought of what it would be like to hire a male hooker. "I have never done that but the thought crossed my mind. "It's certainly a way to be in control of your sex life."

Teri, who plays Susan in the hit show, says she feels like a woman half her age since the break-up of her marriage to actor John Tenney. She added: "I don't want a heavy relationship yet. "I worked really hard when I was younger and then I was married for 10 years. "I feel like I'm 20 again and have the whole world to explore.