Former Heroes star Kristen Bell has said her “inner thighs are so sore” as she rehearses before the start of shooting on new movie Burlesque.

Kristen, 29, whose new movie Couples Retreat was recently released, is preparing to star in the movie that sees her and singer Christina Aguilera as rivals at a burlesque club run by a former dancer, played by Cher.

She said: “I’ve started dance rehearsals, and my neck is sore and my inner thighs are so sore.”

Kristen also spoke about her role in the movie: “My character is fun and sexy but not a stripper. There is no nudity, and there are no pasties and G-strings.”

She added: “It’s very artistic burlesque. Burlesque is a tease. It’s not meant to really give that much away because that wouldn’t be considered a tease. It would be considered giving away the goods.”

Kristen could also end up singing with Christina, 28, but this isn’t a prospect that the actress is happy about.

She said: “There’s a competition between the two of us. I really want to sing and she’s allowed to sing at the club so we fight… In the end when all is well, they may sing together.

“I almost wish they wouldn’t, because I would rather just listen to Christina.”