Gemma Arterton rallies for equal pay as she joins veteran Dagenham campaigners and politicians at the Houses of Parliament
She's currently starring in the West End stage version of Made In Dagenham, a musical version of the story of the Ford sewing machinist strike back in 1968 over the equal pay dispute.
And on Tuesday, Gemma Arterton joined the original Dagenham campaigners who spearheaded the famous dispute to help with an equal pay gap rally.
The 28-year-old actress was one of many at the Houses of Parliament in London to highlight the gender pay gap, which Labour claimed resulted in women earning £210,000 less over a lifetime than men.
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Rallying for equal pay: Gemma Arterton teamed up with the original Dagenham campaigners from the late 1960s at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday
The protest saw the former Bond girl join forces with the veterans of the landmark walk-out at the rally, which was timed to coincide with a Labour bid to force big firms to publish the difference in pay between male and female employees.
Gemma spoke up about the industry in which she works, and touched upon the pay discrepancies within it.
'Yeah, it is lagging behind the times,' she said.
'I think there's something interesting in that we don't like to talk about what we earn because it's not the done thing.'
Doing their bit: Gemma held up a placard along with the Dagenham ladies as they campaigned for equal pay for both genders
'We should talk about what we earn': The 28-year-old actress called for transparency in pay for men and women in order to keep it equal
'But actually we should because then we can say, 'hang on a minute - that's not right', and challenge it.
She added: 'That's part of the reason equal pay is not in place, because we are shy to speak up. That's why, if we can anonymously get companies to publish that, we will be able to see for ourselves.
Her comments referenced the recent Sony email leak that revealed that the female stars of Hollywood movie American Hustle Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams earned less than their male co-stars.
'So proud': The former Bond star later wrote on Twitter that she was honoured to have spent the day with the original 'Made in Dagenham girls'
Campaigners: Gemma was joined by Shadow women's minister Gloria De Piero, who also lobbied against the inequalities in pay
Fair pay: The star looked in good spirits as she joined the women who inspired the Made In Dagenham story
She also said: 'I hope today we can shine a light on this issue and more people can be more confident about speaking up about it.'
The event was in line with the Unite union, and Grazia magazine's Mind the Pay Gap campaign, which was launched earlier this year with a petition.
Their mission stated: 'Grazia magazine is petitioning for Section 78 of the Equality Act 2010 to be enacted. This would mean businesses with 250 employees or more would have to publish anonymised details annually about the hourly pay of men and women they employ.
'This transparency would help end the gender pay divide.'
And Tuesday saw politicians gather at Parliament, as well as the veterans, Grazia's editor Jane Bruton and Made in Dagenham actress Isla Blair with their placards held aloft in order to address the differences in wages between men and women.
'Mind the Pay Gap': The women backed Grazia's campaign, which they hope will enforce Section 78 of the Equality Act 2010, meaning businesses with over 250 employees must publish annual pay details
Taking a stand: Against the backdrop of the Houses of Parliament, the Dagenham ladies, the actresses and politicians held up their posters with prude
Beaming: The British actress couldn't hide her smile as she posed for a photo call in Westminster with her fellow lobbyists
Shadow women's minister Gloria De Piero said: 'Women are losing out on hundreds of thousands of pounds because they still earn less than men over their lifetime.'
Labour backbencher Sarah Champion proposed new legislation under the 10-minute rule, although without Government support there is little chance of it becoming law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
Ms De Piero said: 'It's time the Tories and Lib Dems demonstrated their commitment to delivering equal pay and vote with us.'
The gender pay gap has narrowed by 0.6% to 9.4%, the lowest since records began in 1997, according to the most recent Office for National Statistics figures.
But Labour's analysis of the ONS annual survey of hours and earnings showed that over a career, from the age of 22 to 64, a woman earned an average of £209,976 less.
A big day: Stars of West End musical Made In Dagenham (L-R) Sophie Louise Dann, Sophie Isaacs, Gemma Arterton, Sophie Stanton and Isla Blair were present for the day of rallying
Activists: The ladies of Made In Dagenham were thrilled to have spent the day campaigning in Westminster with the original Dagenham strikers, who had initiated the Equal Pay Act in 1970
Ms Champion's Equal Pay (Transparency) Bill would bring into effect measures in Labour's 2010 Equality Act which were not implemented by the coalition Government and would require employers with more than 250 staff to publish information showing the difference between male and female pay.
Ms Champion told Sky News: 'Whilst I am delighted to bring this Bill to Parliament and stand up for equal pay for women, I am so frustrated that equal pay still doesn't happen automatically.
'Almost 50 years ago the women of Ford Dagenham went on strike for equal pay. The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1970.
'It is nonsensical that despite outward commitments by many governments and many companies, equal pay for men and women is still a goal rather than a reality.'
Labour leader Ed Miliband arrived at the rally at the House of Commons, coming out in support of the equal pay campaign, and it was revealed that MPs voted 258 to 8 voted in favour of Section 78 on Equal Pay Transparency.
Miliband addressed the assembled protesters: 'The reason things happen are because people make them happen. I'm honoured to be in the room with the Made In Dagenham ladies.'
Writing on her Twitter page after the rally, Hollywood actress Gemma said: 'So proud to have shared this special day with the @MadeinDagenham girls. it makes me feel all warm inside.'
Shout about it: Along with Sharon Hodsgon MP (centre), the ladies celebrated bringing about a landmark parliamentary vote on equal pay legislation with Grazia's Mind The Pay Gap campaign
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