Male TV and film stars are now suffering a similar "demeaning" sexism about their looks that their female counterparts have long endured, according to Kit Harington.

The Game of Thrones star, 29, said he felt the sexism particularly during scenes when he is asked to take his clothes off.

Writing in The Sunday Times magazine, Harington, who plays Jon Snow in Games of Thrones, complained there was a "double standard" in the industry.

In the letter, Harington claimed the objectification of women in the industry was rightly condemned but not that of men.

The actor said he feared being typecast as just "a head of hair or a set of looks".

He said he could arguably be said to have been employed because of a "look" but that there was a noticeable sexism in the industry towards men.

He added: "At some points during photo-shoots when I'm asked to strip down, I felt that".