Olsen twins say they'll never act again

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen say they are unlikely to act again, preferring to spend time out of the spotlight.

Ashley Olsen says she and her twin sister Mary-Kate are unlikely to ever act again.

The 25-year-old star - who made her acting debut aged just nine months alongside her twin Mary-Kate in Full House - hasn't appeared in a film since 2004's New York Minute and has no plans to return in front of the camera.

She said: "We worked non-stop until we were 18. Then we decided to take a break and go to school - and that was when we decided to question whether we would carry on in entertainment.

"It was time to step behind the process. I wanted to work on other things.

"It doesn't mean I'm not interested in Hollywood, I like the way it operates and the people who are involved and the sense of possibility. But if I ever do get back in, it's not going to be as an actress."

Though Mary-Kate has made some film and TV appearances since New York Minute - including an eight-episode stint in Weeds - she also thinks it "felt right" to step away from acting.

She said: "It just felt right to move away."

The pair run a fashion empire and though their Dualstar Entertainment Group has more than 30 full time staff, Mary-Kate and Ashley insist on being very hands-on with all of their business ventures.

Ashley told the new issue of Britain's Elle magazine: "We don't trust a lot of people. We are perfectionists. We've always wanted to be closely involved with everything, totally hands on - that's why it works. If we step away, it stops working."

Mary-Kate added: "I know it sounds controlling, but that's how it has to be. It is a big responsibility - but we've been doing it for years."

- BANG! Showbiz