Rupert Murdoch foils Jerry Hall's naked ambition

Rupert Murdoch is said to have banned his wife to be Jerry Hall from playing Mrs Robinson in The Graduate. Photo / Getty

Jerry Hall has pulled out of a theatrical revival of The Graduate, amid claims her new fiance Rupert Murdoch banned her from the role that famously involves on-stage nudity.

The 59-year-old model had been due to strip off for a new production of the play, reprising the role of older seductress Mrs Robinson that she previously played in the West End.

But The Mail on Sunday understands she has been forced to pull out on the insistence of the 84-year-old media mogul. A senior source on the show said last night: "We understand from her that Mr Murdoch doesn't want her to do it. That he wants her to be with him. And she has said he's very vigorous on the point."

Producers of the show - which was to have toured Australia late this year - are said to be angered by her decision, as tickets have already gone on sale.

Now the show is likely to be cancelled, with lawyers for Murdoch's New Corp empire said to be discussing a payout. It is understood that Miss Hall was having second thoughts about the role shortly before her engagement to Mr Murdoch was announced earlier this month.

Miss Hall took the role of Mrs Robinson - played by Anne Bancroft in the 1967 movie - at London's Gielgud Theatre in 2000, taking over from Kathleen Turner.

She appeared in a doorway and let a towel she was wearing drop to the floor.
Until then, she had refused to pose naked, only making an exception for Lucian Freud, who painted her in l998 when she was pregnant with her and Mick Jagger's fourth child.
Miss Hall's spokesman made no comment last night.

- Daily Mail