Michelle Ryan has admitted she is overwhelmed by the popularity of her new drama The Bionic Woman in the UK.

The US series has proven to be a hit on British soil after recording the highest ever viewing figures for ITV2.

Michelle said: "It was great when I heard the viewing figures, it kind of mirrored what happened in the US when my boss called me and said, 'Have you seen the ratings? There's 15 million viewers.' Then I got the call over here and it was the same thing.

"It's so good because when you work that hard and you put everything into it, it's great that people like it so much. It's almost like a Girl Power thing."

The British actress was forced to undergo a gruelling training regime for her role in the remake of the cult 1970s programme, and the punishing work-outs even left her with a six-pack.

She added: "The six-pack is pretty much gone now but the last remains of it are under there somewhere."

Despite the success of the series though, the LA writers strike has prevented the series coming around for a second stint indefinitely.

She added: "It brought production to a halt and then they just decided not to bring it back."

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