Efron opens up about love scenes

Zac Efron has admitted he was embarrassed when his mum watched his steamy love scenes in his new film.

The High School Musical star strips off on-screen for the first time in Scott Hicks' The Lucky One, which sees him portray a US Marine who finds love with a single mum (Taylor Schilling).

Asked how he feels about the hysteria every time he shows a bit of skin, Zac said: "I don't really know how to put it into words. It's better than the opposite reaction.

"I try not to think about it at any point. That's one thing I don't notice; I'm looking at all the flaws. I'm looking at the performance more until my mum says very loudly: 'That's my boy!' Then you go: 'Oh, my God'."

The 24-year-old said being surrounded by a nervous crew and having a relaxed director helped to dispel any awkwardness.

"Everyone is tense on those days, it's not just us. It's kind of like a built-in awkwardness," he said. "Taylor and I knew each other very well by this point. I tried to make her as comfortable as I could, which was just to laugh it off."

Zac will next be seen in Josh Radnor's indie drama Liberal Arts, which premiered at Sundance London, and he's off to Cannes for Lee Daniels' The Paperboy - which sees him sharing love scenes with Nicole Kidman.

"Lee Daniels took a risk on me for that part. Every time I had a scene with Nicole, I felt like I was in Moulin Rouge - I was so in love with her," he said.

:: The Lucky One is in cinemas now.