Hayden Panettiere was such a successful child actor, she was "tortured" by school bullies.

The Heroes actress - who began her career aged eight months - admits she was targeted by bullies over jealousy.

But the 18-year-old is pleased she was the victim.

She says, "At school I was teased a lot because I was an actor. They used to be awful. I went through a big period where I was tortured at school - absolutely ripped apart.

"It was very hard for me but I think it made me a stronger person and I'm glad that it happened."