GoT star says show 'saved her' from sex work

27-year-old Josephine Gillan was working as a prostitute, before she was cast on HBO's hit series, Game of Thrones, an opportunity which the actress says stopped her life from "spiralling out of control".

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Speaking to The Sun, the aspiring actress says her experience on the show has made her "a much stronger person".

“They were looking for young women with natural breasts and no tattoos, who didn’t mind being filmed naked. So I immediately sent in a picture," she said.

"They wrote back that they wanted me and I was thrilled because it was an amazing opportunity to do some proper acting. But I had no idea how much it would change my life."

Gillan has since been featured in every season of the show since her debut in season two - and is set to make her return to Game of Thrones on the show's next episode.

The actress revealed that she attended 24 different primary schools, fleeing from her mother's violent relationships.

She entered foster care at age 12, but endured years of sex abuse and alcohol and drug abuse before turning to prostitution.

Despite the show's sordid content - often showing graphic rape and torture scenes - Gillan says it's all "make-believe".

"Watch the entertainment and enjoy. Or don’t if you’re too prudish," she said.

"People ask me all the time if we are at it for real and I reply, ‘Are dragons or zombies real?’"

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