Messing's sea fear

Film

13:30 21 September 2006

Debra Messing is too scared to go into the sea - after being left traumatised by the death of 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin.

The 'Will and Grace' actress is set to start shooting new TV show 'Starter Wife' in Australia next month and has told producers to hire a body double for her aquatic scenes because she won't go into water.

Earlier this month, Irwin was killed by a stingray while shooting a wildlife documentary in the Great Barrier Reef.

She told The Sydney Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I told them I am not going in the ocean. I told them I need a stunt double. It's too scary."

Messing - who plays a Hollywood mogul's wife who gets dumped on Australia's Gold Coast - is ditching her trademark red locks and turning brunette for the part.

She said: "I was really pushing for dark brown. The producers were like, 'We like the red'. I was like, 'I bet you do!'"

(C) BANG Media International