(Cover) - EN Star Style - Felicity Huffman believes that women in their 50s are "sexy".

The actress is best known for her role as mother-of-five Lynette Scavo in hit show Desperate Housewives and credits the programme with changing the way middle-aged women are perceived.

The 48-year-old joked that her husband, actor William H. Macy, often points out that the characters, including Eva Longoria and Teri Hatcher, look more glamorous and groomed than when they were younger.

"My husband often laughs about the fact that it's a show where women in their 40's look younger now they have reached their 50's. It is only thanks to the amazing lighting work of the directors of photography," Felicity told press at the Festival of Monte Carlo. "In a way, the show has changed the vision of women who are this age because the success of Desperate Housewives proves that these women have a real potential and they can also be sexy."

Felicity - who has also starred in a number of movies including Georgia Rule and Transamerica has joked that the hit US television show is what keeps her youthful. However, the stunning star also revealed that fans sometimes give her backhanded compliments about the difference in her appearance on-screen and in real life.

"I always have people behind me pulling cables linked to my face," she laughed. "No, I think it is thanks to the show and once it will be over, everything will fall apart! It's funny we are talking about this because recently, a few days ago, a woman recognised me at the airport and was like, You're much more beautiful in real life. When I watch you on your show, you look so much older and fatter'..." (C) Cover Media